Former Meru Governor Peter Munya has called on the Luo community to reject political violence and ensure the 2027 General Election is fought through ideas, dialogue and peaceful democratic competition rather than intimidation and confrontation.
Munya made the appeal in an open letter addressed to members of the Luo community, warning that political disagreements should never be allowed to destroy lives, businesses, friendships and relationships between communities.
“I write to you with a message of reflection, unity, peace and responsibility,” Munya said.
His message comes as political activity intensifies across Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election, with concerns over political intolerance, goonism and violence increasingly becoming part of the national political conversation.
Munya cited several incidents that he said should serve as a warning, including the reported attack on Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu, the confrontation involving former Siaya Governor James Orengo and the torching of his vehicle in Migori, as well as disorder and attacks surrounding Linda Mwananchi activities in Homa Bay County.
Munya: ‘Shun political violence’
Munya urged members of the Luo community to reflect on their contribution to Kenya's political history and use that legacy to promote peace and democracy.
“The Luo community has played an important role in Kenya's political history,” Munya said.
“From the struggle for independence, to the defence of multiparty democracy, constitutionalism, social justice and the rights of citizens.”
He said generations of Luo leaders and ordinary citizens had made significant contributions to Kenya and should therefore help protect the country's democratic future.
“That collective history gives us pride and responsibility as a nation,” Munya said.
The former governor posed a fundamental question as the country heads towards another highly contested election.
“What kind of Kenya do we want to leave for our children?” he asked.
Munya challenged Kenyans to consider whether political disagreements should continue producing violence, destruction of property, loss of lives and broken relationships.
“Do we want a Kenya where political disagreements result in violence, destruction of property, loss of lives and broken relationships?” he asked.
“Do we want a Kenya where people can disagree politically while remaining neighbours, business partners, friends and fellow citizens?”
Munya's appeal was direct.
“My appeal to the Luo community is simple and sincere; shun political violence, reject the politics of provocation, intimidation, ethnic hatred, destruction and retaliation,” he said.
He also urged voters to reject the idea that political loyalty should require them to fight supporters of rival candidates or parties.
“Reject the idea that political loyalty requires us to fight your fellow citizens,” Munya said.
‘The youth are not political weapons’
Munya made a special appeal to young people, warning against politicians who may seek to exploit them during periods of heightened political competition.
“Reject politicians who imagine that the youth are expendable instruments to be mobilized, paid or manipulated whenever political temperatures rise,” he said.
“The young people in Luo-land and all over Kenya are not political weapons. They are the future of Kenya.”
Munya said young people should be investing their energy in education, employment, entrepreneurship, technology, agriculture and building businesses rather than participating in political violence.
“A young man or woman should be carrying books, tools, computers, farming equipment, business plans and dreams—not stones, clubs or weapons because politicians in BROADBASED disagree with those in the Opposition,” he said.
The former governor warned that political violence does not permanently resolve political disputes.
“Political violence has never permanently solved a political problem. It has only created new wounds,” Munya said.
“Families have lost loved ones. Businesses have been destroyed. Young people have lost opportunities. Communities have been displaced. Friendships have been broken. Children have been left traumatized.”
‘Politicians negotiate, ordinary citizens suffer’
Munya warned that ordinary Kenyans frequently pay the highest price for political confrontations while political leaders eventually negotiate and move on.
“After the politicians eventually negotiate their political settlements, ordinary citizens are often left to rebuild what violence destroyed,” he said.
“You must therefore refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Munya urged the Luo community to use democratic processes to challenge candidates they disagree with.
“Political disagreements should be settled through dialogue, persuasion and peaceful democratic participation in the ballot,” he said.
“If you disagree with a candidate, you should campaign against that candidate.”
‘Politics must never be bigger than life’
Munya's strongest warning was that political positions are temporary while the consequences of losing human life are permanent.
“POLITICS MUST NEVER BE BIGGER THAN LIFE,” he declared.
“Political leaders come and go. Presidents serve terms. Governors serve terms. Members of Parliament serve terms. Members of County Assemblies serve terms.”
“Political parties rise and fall. Coalitions are formed and eventually change.”
Munya said no political agreement reached after an election can restore a life lost through political violence.
“A person who loses his or her life because of politics and an election cannot come back when the election is over,” he said.
“A parent who loses a child cannot replace that child after politicians reach an agreement.”
“A business that is destroyed cannot always be rebuilt. A family displaced by violence may carry the scars for generations.”
He then delivered his central message:
“No political position is worth the life of another Kenyan.”
“No presidency is worth a child's life.”
“No governorship is worth a mother's tears.”
“No parliamentary seat is worth destroying a neighbour's business.”
“No political party is worth turning brother against brother.”
Munya tells Luo youth: ‘Violence is not courage’
The former Meru governor also challenged young people to reject the narrative that political violence demonstrates courage or loyalty.
“You have the greatest stake in the future of Kenya just like other Kenyans,” Munya said.
“Do not allow anyone to convince you that violence is courage. It is not.”
He said there was nothing courageous about attacking political opponents or destroying their property.
“There is nothing courageous about destroying someone's property because of politics,” Munya said.
“There is nothing courageous about attacking someone because he supports another candidate.”
“There is nothing courageous about being used to provoke violence while those who sent you remain safely away from the consequences.”
Munya urged young people to remember that elections are democratic contests rather than wars.
“An election is not a war.”
“A political opponent is not an enemy.”
“A different opinion is not an insult.”
“A different ethnic identity is not a threat.”
“A different political party does not make someone less Kenyan.”
He urged political competitors to “compete fiercely on ideas while remaining peaceful in conduct.”
‘Protect relationships with other communities’
Munya also warned against allowing political competition to destroy relationships between the Luo and other Kenyan communities.
“The Luo community does not live in isolation,” he said.
“They work with Kikuyu, Luhya, Kamba, Kalenjin, Somalis, Maasai. They work with all communities.”
According to Munya, Kenyans from different communities are deeply connected through business, employment, education, marriage and neighbourhoods.
“They intermarry, they trade together, attend the same schools, work in the same offices, share neighborhoods, use the same buses, children play together and businesses depend on one another,” he said.
“Political competition must never destroy the social relationships that hold our country together.”
Munya warned that political leaders may leave office while ordinary citizens remain neighbours long after elections.
“A politician may leave office but your neighbour will remain your neighbour,” he said.
“The person you attack during an election may be the very person who will help you in an emergency.”
“The business you destroy today may have employed someone from your family tomorrow.”
“The community you insult today may be the community you need tomorrow.”
His warning was unequivocal.
“Kenya is too interconnected for political hatred,” Munya said.
Appeal to Luo elders
Munya called on Luo elders to take responsibility for guiding young people during the politically charged period leading to the 2027 General Election.
“I appeal to you; guide the younger generation,” he said.
“You have seen Kenya through difficult political seasons. You understand the consequences of violence better than many young people do.”
Munya urged elders to remind young people that their future should not be sacrificed for politicians.
“Tell them that their lives are more valuable than political slogans,” he said.
“Tell them that no politician should convince them to destroy their future.”
“Tell them to campaign and participate peacefully. Your voice matters.”
Message to Luo political leaders
Munya also addressed Luo political leaders regardless of their party affiliations, warning that their public statements can influence the behaviour of supporters.
“To every Luo political leader, regardless of party or political alignment: Your words matter,” he said.
“When you speak, thousands listen.”
“When you provoke, some will act.”
“When you calm tensions, lives may be saved.”
The warning comes as political activity across the country intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls. Munya himself remains an active player in the approaching election, having declared his intention to seek the Meru governorship on the PNU ticket.
Munya wants 2027 election fought on issues
Munya urged political leaders and voters to make the 2027 election a contest over ideas and policy rather than violence.
“Let 2027 election be remembered as the election where Kenya matured politically and competed on who has better ideas on economic transformation, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, devolution, good governance, accountability, national unity, constitutionalism, protection of human rights and opportunities for young people,” he said.
He urged voters to make their decisions peacefully.
“Let the best ideas win. Let the voters decide.”
“When the election is over, let Kenya remain standing as an invisible, stable republic.”
‘No political victory is worth the blood of any Kenyan’
Munya concluded by reminding Kenyans that political victories are temporary while the consequences of violence can last for generations.
“The 2027 election will come and it will go,” he said.
But he warned against allowing political competition to claim Kenyan lives.
“NO POLITICAL VICTORY IS WORTH THE BLOOD OF ANY KENYAN.”
Munya called on Kenyans to approach the 2027 General Election as political competitors rather than enemies.
“Let us go to the 2027 election as political competitors, not enemies,” he said.
“Let us come out of it as Kenyans united by a common future.”
“God bless the Luo community.”
“God bless Kenya.”
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