Kenyans Urged To Embrace National Values As 2027 Election Approach
Participants march through Nairobi’s central business district during the 2026 World Values Day celebrations on October 15, promoting national values and active citizenship as the government calls on Kenyans to uphold patriotism, integrity and national unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kenyans have been urged to put national interests above personal, ethnic and regional considerations as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, with government officials warning that the erosion of national values threatens unity, peace and sustainable development.
Speaking during the World Values Day celebrations at Kenya Railways headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, Principal Secretary for National Government Coordination Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim, represented by Abednego Etyang, called on citizens to embrace patriotism, integrity and responsible citizenship to safeguard the country’s stability before, during and after the elections.
The celebrations, held under the global theme Values and Volunteerism, highlighted the importance of selfless service, civic responsibility and collective action in promoting national values and building a cohesive society.
Etyang said World Values Day provided an opportunity for Kenyans to reflect on their constitutional obligations and recognise the role of national values in shaping individual conduct, public institutions and the country’s development agenda.
He noted that Article 10 of the Constitution establishes the national values and principles of governance that should guide leadership, public service and citizens’ participation in national affairs.
“The progress of the Kenyan nation and the realization of the aspirations of its citizens are predicated on the institutionalization and inculcation of these values into all segments of the Kenyan society,” he said.
Article 10 outlines key principles, including patriotism, national unity, the rule of law, democracy, public participation, human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, integrity, transparency and accountability.
Etyang said these principles were fundamental to Kenya’s identity and should inform the decisions, behaviour and relationships of citizens while guiding the country’s social and economic transformation.
He emphasised that patriotism required Kenyans to demonstrate loyalty to the country and be willing to subordinate personal interests to the national good, particularly during periods of heightened political activity.
As political parties and aspirants prepare for the 2027 elections, he challenged citizens to reject ethnic and regional divisions that could undermine national cohesion.
He said the government was committed to strengthening programmes that promote national values through the State Department for National Government Coordination and its Directorate of National Cohesion and Values.
The department has been working with families, community leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, youth leaders, political leaders and professional associations to improve their capacity to promote ethical conduct and responsible citizenship.
Etyang cited a training manual developed to help parents instil values in children and young people, which has been used to train parents in Nyamira, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nairobi and Bungoma counties.
He said nurturing responsible citizens required a coordinated effort involving families, schools, religious institutions, public agencies and community organisations.
The government, he added, would continue implementing Sessional Paper No. 8 of 2013 on National Values and Principles of Governance and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders to promote national identity and cohesion.
Etyang said the principles enshrined in Article 10 should remain central to Kenya Vision 2030 and guide national discussions on the country’s development beyond 2030.
He urged citizens to abandon practices that undermine development and instead embrace values that promote peace, unity and prosperity.
The call for stronger national values was echoed by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud, who warned that corruption remained a major obstacle to accountable governance and effective public service delivery.
Mohamud said the fight against corruption could not depend solely on investigations, prosecutions and the recovery of unexplained assets, but also required a sustained effort to build an ethical culture across society.
He argued that corruption thrived where integrity was compromised, accountability weakened and public resources were treated as personal property.
“The true measure of our commitment to national values lies not in what we profess, but in how we conduct ourselves,” Mohamud said.
He urged public institutions to demonstrate integrity through transparent processes, responsible management of public resources and accountability for decisions made in the exercise of public authority.
Public officers, he said, must recognise that their positions were a public trust and that resources entrusted to them belonged to the people of Kenya.
He added that recruitment, procurement, public expenditure and service delivery should be guided by fairness, merit, legality and the public interest.
Mohamud also challenged citizens to demand accountability through lawful and constructive engagement, saying integrity should be upheld regardless of whether wrongdoing was likely to be detected or punished.
He called for greater public vigilance ahead of the 2027 elections, urging Kenyans to reject electoral bribery, discourage hate speech and uphold the rule of law.
He said active citizenship extended beyond voting and participating in public forums to include protecting public property, respecting the law, speaking out against wrongdoing and contributing positively to communities.
The EACC chief further urged families, schools, religious institutions and workplaces to nurture integrity, patriotism and responsibility among young people.
Both officials emphasised the importance of translating constitutional principles into practical action, noting that volunteerism offered citizens an opportunity to contribute to national development regardless of their social or economic status.
They called on Kenyans to use the World Values Day commemoration to renew their commitment to ethical conduct, accountable leadership and peaceful coexistence.
The officials said the country’s future would depend not only on the policies adopted by the government but also on the values demonstrated by leaders, institutions and citizens in their everyday decisions.
By Jeff Oyugi
