As President William Ruto prepared to address Kenyans during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, a choir from Uasin Gishu County delivered a message that appeared to speak directly to the country’s political class.
AIC Sitiyot choir caught the attention of those gathered at Kipchoge Keino Stadium with lyrics calling on God to intervene against tribalism, killings, incitement and corruption.
In one of the song’s refrains, the choir repeatedly asked God to look upon those involved in the vices.
“Wenye ukabila, Baba uwatazame. Wauaji, Baba uwatazame. Wachochezi, Baba uwatazame. Wala rushwa, Baba uwatazame,” they sang.
The choir then declared that those responsible for such acts had no place in the country.
“Hawana nafasi hapa Kenya, tena washindwe kwa jina la Yesu,” they sang.
The performance came as leaders and other attendees waited for the President to arrive at the stadium, with the lyrics touching on issues that have featured prominently in Kenya’s political and public life.
The message also came as the country approaches the 2027 General Election, amid concerns over political rhetoric and ethnic divisions.
Several government officials and leaders allied to the broad-based government arrangement have been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks reported to have raised concerns about hate speech and ethnic hostility.
Other political leaders have also faced criticism over statements perceived to promote ethnic divisions ahead of the election.
Corruption remains a major concern, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025 finding that the average bribe in Kenya rose from Sh4,878 in 2024 to Sh6,724 in 2025.
The report, released in April 2026, also found that 73 per cent of respondents believed insufficient action was being taken against corruption, while 98.6 per cent of those who paid bribes in 2025 did not report the incidents.
The choir also referenced killings, a subject that has remained part of public debate amid concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
The performance offered a pointed reminder of these concerns on a day set aside to honour Kenyans whose sacrifices helped shape the country. Mashujaa Day celebrates national heroes whose contributions are meant to inspire future generations.
While the choir did not name any individuals, its lyrics raised questions about the conduct of those entrusted with public leadership, placing issues of accountability, national unity and human life at the centre of the celebrations.
