Kenya Kwanza leaders cross into Uganda to drum up support ahead of 2027 polls

• On Friday, Kenya Kwanza leaders crossed into neighbouring Uganda for a cross-border political meeting that brought together political mobilisation, concerns over the movement and documentation of Kenyans living and working along the border, as well as security concerns.

With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, Kenya's political mobilisation is increasingly spilling beyond the country's borders.

On Friday, Kenya Kwanza leaders crossed into neighbouring Uganda for a cross-border political meeting that brought together political mobilisation, concerns over the movement and documentation of Kenyans living and working along the border, as well as security concerns.

Led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the delegation also called for closer security cooperation between Kenya and Uganda as political activity gathers pace ahead of the 2027 polls.

With President William Ruto away in the United States, his political allies crossed into neighbouring Uganda, taking their message into a border community and drumming up support for the administration.

The delegation arrived at Amanang Secondary School in Bukwo District, where they were hosted by Kongasis MP Brian Kapyagon.

Murkomen sought to ease concerns over cross-border movement, assuring citizens of neighbouring countries that they would remain free to live and work in Kenya as long as they have the required legal documents.

“I want to assure Kenyans and East Africans who live along the border, Uganda, TZ, Ethiopia, Somalia, we will not discriminate on any Kenyan they have a right to get IDs, to get documentations…in the past they were going through rigorous and unnecessary vetting that was not required,” he said.

The political pitch extended to Kenyans living across the border, with leaders urging them to return home for the 2027 polls and assuring them that distance should not stand between them and the ballot.

“Within East African Charter...we have the ability of free movement usishtuliwe ukiwa na kura na ukiwaMmkenya na unapiga Uganda…wakati wa kura piga Uganda na ukiwa nayo Tanzania unapiga hivyo hivyo…na ata ukiwa hapa unakuja upige kura kwetu Kenya,” Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau stated.

Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang added, “Ati sijui kuna watu wa Uganda, eti watu wa Kenya…hapa mimi naona wengi ni Wakenya tu wamekuja kufanya biashara pande hii...”

Trans Nzoia Woman Rep Lilian Siyoi said, “Na uko na haki ya kupiga kura, bora uko na kitambulisho na uko na IEBC card na msitishiwe, endeleeni kusimama na sisi...”

But even as politics took centre stage, security along the Kenya-Uganda border remained a key concern.

Murkomen called for closer cooperation between security teams on both sides of the border to tackle cattle rustling and other security challenges.

“I want to say this...security team ya West Pokot County na hii Kapchorwa kuwa wa kushirikiana bila mambo ya bunduki,” added Murkomen.

Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda Ababu Namwamba called for stronger people-to-people diplomacy and deeper East African integration.

“We need people to people diplomacy and supporting fully the integration of people of East Africa... our two presidents are the champions of East African Community integration. That border drawn by mzungu should mean nothing, it should not separate us, we are one people,” Namwamba said.