REJECT VIOLENCE, RESTORE TRUST
Preamble
We, the stakeholders from the Western Region counties of Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia gathered at County Green Hotel, Bungoma on May 7 and 8, 2026 to reflect on the sociopolitical state of our region. Our guiding scripture was Proverbs 16:3 that says,
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans
This reminded us of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our shared efforts, especially as we focus on strengthening our collective commitment to peace, tolerance and justice. After comprehensive deliberations on the realities confronting the region, we would like to share the following message.
- Focus on Service Delivery
We take note with concern that, while the national and county governments have attempted to bring development in our counties, the over Ksh492 billion allocated to the region since the start of devolution has not translated into meaningful improvement in the lives of our people. The high cost of living, unemployment, poverty, drug abuse and poor service delivery remain the harsh realities confronting our people daily.
We have taken note of some progress made in infrastructure development and provision of agricultural subsidies. However, challenges such as unequal distribution of resources, delays in releasing farm inputs, lack of extension services and elite capture within the agricultural value chain greatly undermine productivity and deny farmers fair return of their produce. Some of our roads are in deplorable state making transportation a nightmare.
The forum expresses concern over the failure to revive the sugar sector and other key industries despite repeated promises by leaders, with many projects remaining stalled due to diversion of funds by successive administrations and reports of corruption. We also note that, although the region is endowed with valuable minerals, including in Ikolomani, extraction efforts continue to face resistance due to inadequate public participation and limited engagement of local communities throughout the extraction process. We call on the government to engage communities meaningfully and ensure that resource exploitation is transparent, peaceful, and beneficial to local populations
While the region enjoys relatively fair distribution of health facilities, access to basic health services remains a major struggle. Many facilities remain ill-equipped, understaffed, face persistent shortages of essential drugs, compounded by weak referral system between levels. The situation is worsened by delayed reimbursement from SHA to hospitals despite contrary public pronouncements by state and public officers.
Schools in this region are choking with mounting debts due to severely reduced capitation, denying our children the right to quality education. A notable gap is the inadequate investment in the Competency-Based Education (CBE) for the children with disability, with many forced to rely on outdated and inappropriate approaches for learning.
A major setback to effective service delivery in the region is the political interference with processes driven by vested interests that work against the welfare of the people. Widespread corruption across the region continues to undermine public trust, weaken service delivery, and deny citizens equal opportunities. We therefore call upon the national and county governments to fully comply with their constitutional mandates and provide genuine, accountable and people-centered services that improve quality of life for all citizens. Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) must act on corruption firmly and decisively to safeguard people’s rights to efficient, equitable and accountable services.
- Stop Early Campaigns and Political violence
We take note with deep concern that funerals, church services and other social gatherings have increasingly been turned into arenas for political supremacy battles, to the detriment of mourners and worshippers. Hate speech, disinformation, misinformation and political intolerance have become the normal language of political engagement. More alarming is the commercialization and normalization of goonism, often exploiting the vulnerable youth, posing threat to peace and stability. Sadly, political interference in judicial processes and law enforcement has weakened action against perpetrators and sponsors of violence, allowing impunity to thrive. We call on politicians to stop these polarized early campaigns that are putting people’s lives at risk. Our constitution guarantees every person the right “not to be subjected to any form of violence from either public or private sources (Article 29c)”. Our people cannot continue to live in fear, while such dangerous trend escalates unchecked.
We call on the Ministry of Interior and the Inspector General of Police to match the public pronouncements with firm and decisive action against criminal gangs and politically sponsored goons before the menace spirals out of control. We further urge the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to enforce Political Parties Code of Conduct and take appropriate regulatory action against political parties and leaders who incite or sponsor violence. At the same time, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) need to collaborate and ensure lawful action are taken against politicians linked with inciting violence, and bar them from taking public offices.
- Restore Public Confidence in Institutions
This forum expresses deep concern over declining public trust in key institutions responsible for elections and citizen registration. Of particular concern is preparedness of the IEBC, especially regarding the audit of the voter register and management of the next elections. There is limited public engagement by the commission, coupled with unclear and inconsistent communication creating confusion and mistrust among the citizens as witnessed in the recent notice on re-registration of persons registered before 2012.
We are further alarmed by loopholes in the vetting processes especially at the local administration level within the region, which has led to non-Kenyans acquiring identification documents, thus undermining the confidence in voter registration and credibility of elections. We therefore call for stricter and more transparent registration procedures, faster issuance of identity documents to qualified Kenyans, and stronger enforcement of electoral laws to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes.
We further note with concern the growing culture of voter bribery and commercialized politics, which continues to fuel corruption, transactional leadership, and unfair political competition. We urge the full implementation of campaign financing laws and affirmative measures to ensure fair representation of marginalized groups and restore confidence in democratic processes. Intergenerational dialogue should be a priority in government programmes and community structured levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this forum reaffirms the importance of sustained collaboration among all key stakeholders to promote accountability, good governance, peace, and social cohesion, especially as we draw closer to 2027 general elections. Every individual seeking elective office must be guaranteed a fair opportunity to participate freely without intimidation, violence or discrimination. As citizens, it is to our collective best interest that we embrace tolerance, respect different opinions, reject incitement and manipulation by political actors. We must remain steadfast in demanding delivery of quality services, integrity and accountable leadership over short-term handouts and divisive politics. Inspired by our National Anthem “May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, plenty be found within our borders,” let us commit ourselves to a peaceful, just and prosperous society for all.
God Bless Kenya, God Bless Western Region.
Signed on this May 8, 2026 at County Green Hotel, Bungoma
PC Seth Agala
Regional Chairman
