Mt Elgon youth on course to finishing 48-hour kneeling vigil for peace ahead of 2027 polls

Musa Korir from Mt Elgon/COURTESY

A 22-year-old man from Kapsokwony in Mt Elgon is on course to finishing his 48-hour kneeling campaign to advocate for peace and national unity ahead of the 2027 general election.

Musa Korir, who has drawn attention after spending nearly 30 hours since he started the challenge at around 11am Wednesday, May 20, is urging Kenyans to reject political hatred, insults and division.

Korir said he was motivated by rising political tensions, insults and profiling that he fears could divide the country.

Beside him stands a handwritten board carrying the message “AMANI KENYA,” alongside a passionate appeal for unity and peaceful coexistence.

“I, Musa Korir, am determined to stay here for 48 hours, advocating for our beloved country Kenya, for negative political unrest has rent the Kenyan waves,” part of the message reads.

“I cannot permit a country we have built for many years to sink down. Kenya is one and formidable. United we stand, divided we fall.”

Korir also called on political leaders and Kenyans to end insults, rivalry and political profiling as the country gradually enters the 2027 election season.

“May insults, rivalry and political profiling cease,” the board further states.

Residents and passersby in the Mt Elgon area have been stopping to observe the symbolic act, with some praising the young man for using peaceful means to spread a message of unity at a time when political temperatures are beginning to rise across the country.

Korir said his action is meant to remind Kenyans that peace and coexistence should come before politics and competition.

His vigil comes amid increasing political activity and sharp exchanges among leaders as alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to take shape.

President William Ruto Thursday launched a blistering attack on leaders he accused of promoting tribal hatred and profiling Kenyans along political and ethnic lines.

He condemned what he termed as dangerous politics of division, warning that those spreading hate would eventually be held accountable.

“I want to say, while I am here at the Coast, for those of you who are visionless, the people who have no vision for our nation, the people who have no plan for our nation, you will not divide our nation using ethnicity and hate,” Ruto said.

Without naming specific individuals, Ruto accused some politicians of weaponising ethnicity and fear to intimidate Kenyans who hold different political views.

“Kenya hii hatuwezi kubali, hatutaruhusu mtuuzie ukabila, uoga na blackmail,” the President said.

“We will not allow anybody to blackmail our nation using ethnicity. You will not profile citizens as traitors because they do not believe in your tribal bigotry.”

Ruto maintained that Kenya’s future depended on unity and coexistence, saying the country could not afford to slide backwards into divisive politics.

“We are going to stand together as a nation. Our nation will not go backward. Our nation will move forward with unity and a common destiny,” he said.