Odede convenes national eders convention to champion peace, development

_{Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede has convened a National Elders Convention bringing together representatives from Kenya’s 47 counties to discuss peace, cohesion, and development ahead of the 2027 General Election.}

_{The two-day meeting, held under the theme “Culture, Peace, Cohesion, and Development”, sought to strengthen the role of traditional leaders in fostering unity and guiding national development.}

_{Dr. Odede, who was recently awarded the 2025 UN Nelson Mandela Prize for Community-Led Development, said elders must be at the forefront of promoting dialogue and preventing political misuse during election seasons.}

_{“Our elders have always been misused, especially during political seasons. As we head to 2027, they should be the voice of reason to guide communities into peace, cohesion, and prosperity,” he said.}

_{The convention was attended by European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, who reaffirmed the EU’s support for Kenya’s stability and economic growth.}

_{“The European Union stands with Kenya’s elders as guardians of social cohesion. Sustainable development hinges on dialogue, and we support forums like this that unite voices across regions,” she said, urging elders to discourage ethnic confrontations.}

_{Former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and National Elders Council Chairman Major (Rtd) John Seii also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of embedding elders’ wisdom in governance.}

_{“Elders transcend political cycles. Their role is to nurture values across generations and ensure peace remains our guiding compass,” Prof. Kibwana said.}

_{“Our mandate is clear: to be watchdogs of integrity and catalysts of development. We convene not as relics of history, but as anchors of harmony and progress,” Seii added.}

_{The convention resolved to deploy trained elders to mediate inter-communal tensions in election hotspots, formally recognize elders as advisory partners in county governance, and establish mentorship programs pairing elders with young leaders.}

_{Moderator Dr. Mugo wa Njoroge, founder of the Foundation for Dialogue, closed the event by urging elders to carry the message of peace to communities across Kenya.}

_{“Peace is not made in the headlines—it is made in the homes, in the herders’ fields, in the marketplaces, and in our sacred rituals,” he said.}