Former minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa has called for forgiveness, trust-building, and national cohesion as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, while reflecting on the recently held National Prayer Breakfast.

Speaking in an interview on May 28, shortly after the 23rd National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Kirwa praised the annual event while urging leaders to match public prayers with genuine conduct.

“Well, I still appreciate the prayer breakfast from the inception up to now because all the time we sin and we commit crimes against our brothers and sisters,” he said. “This therefore means we need to take more seriously whatever we say, whether it is in public rallies or when we are praying.”

Forgiveness and trust-building

Kirwa emphasised forgiveness as a key foundation for social harmony, saying holding grudges often harms the offended more than the offender.

He added that misunderstanding often fuels hatred among people who fail to take time to understand one another. “We don’t take time to understand them,” he said. “You remember even in the beginning of times when Jesus was crucified, he was misunderstood by those who were crucifying him.”

The former legislator urged leaders and citizens to build trust across political and ethnic lines while respecting differing perspectives.

He also warned against inflammatory political rhetoric, describing some public statements as harmful to national cohesion and calling for greater understanding among Kenyans.

During the Prayer Breakfast, the president William Ruto noted that prosperous nation is built when citizens dare to forgive and have the grace to reconcile.

“This year’s theme, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, reminds us of the attributes that hold a nation together. Before politics and ethnicity, we are first and foremost Kenyans, reconciliation is our resounding testament that our shared future matters more than our divisions.”

“In a robust democracy like ours, differences are bound to arise. But divergence of opinion must never degenerate into hatred, animosity and division.”

Political tolerance and election concerns

Kirwa expressed concern over growing political polarisation ahead of the 2027 elections, drawing parallels with tensions witnessed during the 2007 electoral period, which he said were worsened by divisive messaging.

He reminded Kenyans that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live, invest and move freely across the country, dismissing ethnic profiling in political discussions.

Kirwa also rejected claims that elections can be manipulated through vote theft, insisting that the current system ensures that only valid votes determine outcomes.

Drawing from his political experience, where he won four consecutive elections and later lost three, he noted that accepting electoral outcomes is part of democratic maturity and national stability.