MOMBASA, Kenya – The Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) Trust has launched a three-year peace programme dubbed TUPO PAMOJA II, aimed at strengthening meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding, leadership and governance in Mombasa County through mentorship by religious leaders.
The programme comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, amid growing concerns over political tensions and the possible mobilisation and manipulation of young people for political interests.
Speaking during the launch, CICC Secretary General Bishop Abareja Kinoga said the programme was being introduced at a critical moment when political tensions were already emerging in different parts of the country.
“We are launching this programme at a critical moment as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election. Political tensions are already emerging, and we are increasingly witnessing how young people can be mobilised and manipulated for political interests,” said Bishop Kinoga.
The religious leaders stressed that CICC is a non-partisan organisation and reminded political actors that young people should not be used as political weapons.
“Young people must not be recruited to spread hate, confront opponents or participate in violence. They must instead be empowered to participate in democracy, demand accountability, provide leadership and become agents of peace,” Bishop Kinoga noted.
The clerics also called on political leaders to compete through ideas, policies and development agendas rather than incitement and violence, which they warned could jeopardise the peace the country has enjoyed.
CICC Mombasa Chairman Sheikh Mahmoud urged young people to reject political manipulation, misinformation and hate speech, and instead use their voices and votes to shape the future of the country.
“We call upon young people to reject political manipulation, misinformation and hate speech, and to use their voices and votes to shape the Kenya they want,” said Sheikh Mahmoud.
The religious leaders said the TUPO PAMOJA II programme would be used to educate Mombasa’s youth on their rights and responsibilities, while equipping them with knowledge and skills to promote peace within their communities. CICC Trust official Hema Shah reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people to take an active role in promoting peace and responsible leadership.
“As CICC Trust, we believe that peace is everyone’s responsibility. Let us not use our youth to destroy the future they are meant to inherit. Let us empower them to lead it,” affirmed Shah.
The programme has been launched at a time when political leaders have increasingly been accused of using hate speech and abusive language, while incidents of political violence have also been reported in some parts of the country.
Through TUPO PAMOJA II, CICC Trust hopes to promote peaceful political participation, strengthen youth leadership, counter misinformation and hate speech, and encourage young people to become active agents of peace ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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