The first-ever Kericho Peace Festival, held on 15–16 August at Kericho Green Stadium, filled the town with joy, colour, and hope as children, families, faith leaders, and civic representatives came together to celebrate peace, forgiveness, and cultural pride.

Over two vibrant days, hundreds of primary school pupils and Sunday school children lit up the festival with songs, poems, skits, and dances that carried messages of honesty, compassion, forgiveness, and responsibility. The innocence of their voices and the depth of their performances reminded all present that peace begins not in grand declarations, but in the small choices children make in their daily lives. One young participant captured the mood when she said, “When we learn about peace, it helps us be kind to our friends. If children forgive each other, the whole world can be a happier place.”

The festival placed children at the heart of its mission, while also drawing deeply on the culture of the Kipsigis community. Traditional exhibitions, music, and dance instilled pride in heritage, showing that culture and values can walk hand in hand to strengthen the moral fabric of society. The occasion also marked the 100th anniversary of Kericho Wagon Works and honoured the memory of Saint Puran Singh Ji, whose life of selfless service continues to inspire Kericho to this day.

Distinguished leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with the children in affirming the need for peace and reconciliation. H.E. Dr. Erick K. Mutai, Governor of Kericho County, praised the focus on values education and the role of faith-inspired organisations in strengthening families.

He told the gathering: “Our children are the future of this county and this country. By teaching them peace, forgiveness, and respect for one another, we are laying the foundation for a just, united, and prosperous Kenya.” Hon. Aaron Cheruiyot, Senator for Kericho County and Senate Majority Leader, reminded the audience of the importance of unity and forgiveness in Kenya’s journey. Mr. Julius Ngoneshi, County Director of Education, applauded the children’s creativity, saying that “the true education must always carry a moral dimension”.

At the heart of the gathering was Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji OBE KSG MGH, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ). A global faith leader, he has dedicated his life to interfaith harmony, peace-building, and regeneration projects in Kericho and beyond. Reflecting on the occasion, Bhai Sahib Ji shared: “Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It begins in the heart of every child, within every family, and in every community. When children learn the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, they carry these values into society, shaping a more compassionate future.”

The Peace Charter, launched under Bhai Sahib’s leadership, echoes this vision, reminding the world that peace is a sacred duty and that reconciliation is the foundation for harmony among nations. Its words came to life in Kericho as children expressed through art and song what the Charter proclaims in principle.

Behind the scenes, the festival was powered by the tireless efforts of Nishkam volunteers in Kenya. Their quiet dedication, from organising children’s rehearsals and preparing cultural displays, to managing logistics and welcoming guests, made the event possible. It is through their spirit of seva, or selfless service, that Kericho has witnessed not only this festival, but years of community upliftment through uniforms, meals, classrooms, scholarships, and moral education. Their work has created a lasting legacy of hope.

Elder Richard K. Ngeno, Chairman of the Myoot Kipsigis Council of Elders, joined the ceremony as a distinguished guest. He praised Bhai Sahib Ji’s spiritual leadership and decades of service in education, health, welfare, environmental care, and community empowerment, investments exceeding KSh 462 million. In recognition, Bhai Sahib was formally appointed an honorary Elder of the Kipsigis community.

As the festival drew to a close, Bhai Sahib Ji offered a message that lingered in every heart: “If we sow peace in our children today, we will reap peace in the world tomorrow.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) is a UK-headquartered Sikh faith-inspired charitable organisation that promotes selfless service (sewa), education, health, and interfaith harmony globally. Inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Founder of the Sikh faith), GNNSJ’s mission is to serve with humility, foster unity, and build a compassionate society grounded in universal spiritual values.

• Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh is the Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a faith-based charitable organisation headquartered in Birmingham, UK, with global outreach across education, health, civic engagement and interfaith work. In recognition of his tireless efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and interreligious harmony, Bhai Sahib Ji was awarded the Pontifical Order of Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (KSG) by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 – becoming the first Sikh in history to receive this honour. Bhai Sahib Ji received the Papal knighthood with humility, dedicating it to the Guru’s message of selfless service and unity among all humanity.
• The Kericho Peace Festival was held for the first time in 2025, with a focus on children aged 6–14 years. The event combined creative expression, moral education, and cultural heritage, making it a pioneering community festival in Kenya.