Kenyans have been urged to shun political leaders who promote ethnicity, hatred, lies, and national disintegration, as the country heads toward another election cycle.
The appeal was made during the funeral service of Mary Wangui Mwangi, mother of Kenya Patriots Party leader and Nairobi businesswoman Dr Agnes Kagure, held at Gitathiini Village in Nyeri Town Constituency. The service drew leaders from across the political divide who used the occasion to preach unity and integrity.
Led by National Economic Development Party (NEDP) leader and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the leaders condemned politicians who continue to thrive on divisive rhetoric, impunity, and economic stagnation.
Sonko warned citizens against falling for leaders who would take the country down the same dangerous path witnessed during the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
“Kenyans should refrain from listening to leaders likely to lead us to the dangerous path we treaded on in 2007, whose effects have not totally been forgotten,” Sonko said. “We lost lives, families were displaced, and the national fabric was torn apart. As a people, we must learn from that history and choose leaders who unite us, not divide us.”
He added that Kenya’s progress depends on citizens rejecting politics of hate and embracing leaders committed to service delivery and accountability.
Siaya Deputy Governor and a friend of the family, Dr William Oduol echoed Sonko’s sentiments. He said just like other leaders and Dr Kagera, he firmly for national cohesion, integrity, and honest hard work; values he noted that Kagure inherited from her late mother.
“We dissociate ourselves completely from politics of lies, disintegration, and hate,” Oduol told mourners.
“The late Mama Wangui raised a daughter who believes in bringing Kenyans together regardless of tribe, religion, or region. That is the kind of leadership this country needs.”
Leaders used the platform to criticize the current administration of Nairobi County, accusing Governor Johnson Sakaja’s government of failing residents.
Dr Kagure has, declared her interest in the capital city gubernatorial seat.
On his, part, Dr Owoul cited the recent arrest of a county official found with over KSh60 million in cash as evidence of rot within City Hall.
“It is a shame that an official of the capital city county can be arrested in possession of over KSh60 million in cash, yet the county chief does not even offer an apology to the citizens,” he lamented.
“Nairobi deserves better. It deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and focused on service delivery,” he added.
He argued that a change of leadership in Nairobi was inevitable if residents wanted real development. According to him, Agnes Kagure represents that change.
“Since the residents of the city need real leadership and focused service, a selfless leader like Agnes Kagure comes in handy,” Oduol said. He urged Nyeri residents with relatives living and working in Nairobi to encourage them to support leaders who prioritize the welfare of the people over personal gain.
During the ceremony, leaders were divided on where Dr Kagera should contest as a Governor. Some supported her bid in Nairobi with others hinting she was also welcome in her birthplace of Nyeri.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Elders Council Chairman Maina Kamanda who also addressed the gathering called on residents of the Mt Kenya region to remain united and to ignore divisive politics that offer no value to their economic activities. Kamanda said farmers, traders, and small business owners in the region are struggling, and what they need now is unity and policies that grow the economy, not ethnic mobilization.
“Our people are looking for markets for their milk, potatoes, and tea. They are looking for good roads and affordable inputs. They are not looking for leaders who will come every five years to divide them along tribal lines,” Kamanda said. “Let us remain united as a community and as a nation. That is how we will attract investment and improve livelihoods.”
Other leaders who echoed the call for enhanced national unity and cohesion included Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga, The New Democrats TND) Party leader Dr Thuo Mathenge and Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe.
The funeral was attended by leaders from all cadres among them university students leader Anthony Manyara, senatorial aspirant Nick Mararo and Nyeri Town constituency DCP aspirant Gerge Mwangi Box among other county, parliamentary, and civic aspirants from Nyeri and neighboring counties.
The diverse attendance was cited by speakers as a sign that Kenyans are yearning for leaders who can bridge regional and political divides.
In eulogies, family members described the late Mary Wangui Mwangi as a matriarch who instilled discipline, hard work, and love for community in her children. She died at the age of 86, leaving behind 11 children, dozens of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Agnes Kagure, visibly emotional, thanked Kenyans for standing with her family during the period of mourning. She said her mother’s greatest lesson was that “a united people are an unstoppable people.”
“She taught us that your tribe should never be a reason to hate your neighbor,” Kagure said. “If we carry that spirit into our politics and daily lives, Kenya will go far.”
The leaders’ message comes at a time when political temperatures are rising ahead of the 2027 General Election. Incidents of hate speech and ethnic profiling have started surfacing in different parts of the country, prompting calls from civil society and religious leaders for early peacebuilding efforts.
Political analysts note that funerals and other public gatherings have increasingly become platforms for leaders to test political messages. However, the event in Nyeri stood out for its consistent theme of unity, with speakers from different parties agreeing that Kenya cannot afford another cycle of post-election violence.
As the nation reflects on the lessons of 2007/2008, the call from Gitathiini Village was clear: reject leaders who peddle hate, reward those who preach cohesion, and put the country’s interest above personal or ethnic interests.
The late Mama Wangui was laid to rest in a private family ceremony afte
