Mombasa, Kenya – The Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to roll out the Peace, Empowerment and Resilience for Religious Leaders (PEARL) project, an initiative aimed at strengthening ethical leadership, social cohesion, and accountable governance in Mombasa and Kwale counties.
The project comes at a pivotal moment in Kenya’s evolving political landscape, marked by rising civic awareness and growing public demand for accountability. Despite notable progress in democratic development, stakeholders noted that persistent challenges—including governance gaps, inequitable resource distribution, and declining public trust in institutions—continue to threaten national cohesion.
CICC emphasized the critical role of religious leaders as trusted community voices capable of guiding moral discourse, fostering peace, and bridging ethnic, political, and social divides across the Coast region and beyond.
Speaking during the launch in Mombasa, religious leaders underscored the urgency of inclusive engagement ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“We have been engaging a lot, but this time we need to ensure everyone is on board to achieve our goal of a peaceful country before and after the elections,” they said.
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The PEARL project seeks to equip religious leaders with the knowledge, tools, and platforms needed to engage constructively with duty bearers, advocate for ethical leadership, and empower citizens to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities.
Leaders also highlighted the growing activism among young people, noting the need to channel their energy into lawful and constructive civic participation.
“We’ve seen agitated young people yearning for change and accountability. There is a need to engage them so they continue demanding what is rightfully theirs within the law,” they added.
The initiative aims to foster collaboration between religious leaders, political actors, security agencies, and communities to rebuild trust and promote a culture of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in governance.
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Mary Mburu, the Deputy County Commissioner of Mombasa, welcomed the initiative, calling for stronger partnerships to enhance its impact.
“As a government, we appreciate such initiatives that promote peace in our county and encourage harmonious living within the community,” she said.
Mburu further urged young people to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration period in preparation for the upcoming elections.
As implementation begins, CICC has called on all stakeholders—including government institutions, civil society, faith-based organizations, and citizens—to support the initiative, emphasizing that sustainable peace and development depend on shared responsibility, active citizenship, and principled leadership.
The PEARL project, stakeholders noted, represents a strategic step toward building a more cohesive and accountable society for present and future generations.
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