A section of the senior citizens at the meeting. Water and refreshments were strictly for the high table and special guests. Photo/Home News
By Wanjohi Nderitu
What began as a hopeful journey for nearly 2,000 elderly and vulnerable men and women ended in exhaustion, disappointment, and despair last Saturday, April 4, after a much-anticipated meeting in Nyahururu town failed to deliver on long-standing promises of land and financial support.
The senior citizens, many sickly and frail, had traveled from different parts of Laikipia and Nyandarua counties after being assured they would receive good news regarding when each would be allocated land and development funds.
The pledges were made by officials of the Laikipia Peace Ambassadors, a local Community-Based Organization (CBO) operating under the umbrella of an international body called the Global Union of Peace and Development. Instead, the elderly returned home tired, hungry, thirsty, and more haggard than when they arrived — their hopes dashed after waiting in vain from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for any hint of fulfillment.
Harsh conditions at the venue raise alarm
Despite the long hours spent at the former Nyandarua County Council Chambers and its surrounding grounds, not even a half-liter bottle of water was offered to the waiting crowd. Worse still, attendees were forced to pay Ksh 10 per visit to use a nearby public toilet facility.
The chambers hall was jammed far beyond capacity. Elders sat crammed on the floor like sandwiches or stood pressed together like sardines, with hardly any space to stretch their legs. No first-aiders were present, even as some matriarchs and patriarchs fainted inside and outside the venue — apparently due to thirst, hunger, or complications from illnesses associated with old age. Several elders reported that they had not carried their regular medication with them.
Although the local organization had deployed a team of security personnel wearing reflective jackets with the CBO’s name on the back, there was no medical support on site.
Local officials led lengthy prayers and hymns, alternating one after another, while others made speeches entirely unrelated to the land and funds the elders had been led to expect. It became evident that the leaders were merely buying time, as the guests of honour had not arrived until well after lunchtime.
The elders had been investing with the CBO, which is led by one Joseph Otieno and operates from an office within the old Nyandarua county council building. While the exact membership fee remains unclear, The Home News learned that in recent months, only Ksh 100 was required for membership renewal — money collected by various officials.
No government official attended the meeting. Many elders said they had no idea they had been recruited as “peace ambassadors,” and some openly wondered whether they were being misused by individuals chasing self-aggrandizement, fame, and wealth at their own expense.
Doctorates, claims and contested land deals
During the meeting, a retired chief from Leshau, Mrs. Wamucie Wahome, and another member were conferred with doctorate degree certificates from foreign universities — allegedly for their contribution to peace in their localities. Otieno himself had received a similar doctorate last year for alleged peace initiatives.
Otieno told the gathering that the branch had 5,000 members and that plans to purchase the defunct Laikipia High School in Nyahururu town — which sits on 12.5 acres of land — were at an advanced stage.
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He claimed that several negotiation meetings had been held with the owners, and that the intention was to establish a home for the aged where members would receive dignified care.
However, sources close to the owners refuted the claims, stating that neither the buildings nor the land were for sale, and that Otieno’s assertions were false.
Global speeches
The chief guest was Princess Maria Tosin Adekola from Nigeria, who introduced herself as the Personal Assistant (PA) and Chief of Staff to the Global President and Founder of the Global Union of Peace and Development, Ambassador Cardinal Professor Eugene Kavune Nzabonimba.
In her written speech, Princess Adekola focused entirely on the need for global peace — without a single mention of the land and funds the 5,000 elderly had been led to expect.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to stand before you today here in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, Kenya, on this important and historic occasion,” she said, thanking God for bringing together leaders, partners, and peace ambassadors with a shared vision of building a better world.
programme. 1st and 2nd right are Joseph Otieno and Princess Maria, respectively. Photo/Home News
“My message today is simple: peace must begin with us. When leaders unite with integrity, faith, and a spirit of service, communities become stronger and nations prosper.”
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“Laikipia is a county of great blessings. We believe that the peace that begins here will spread throughout Kenya, across Africa, and to the entire world,” Adekola added.
She specifically thanked the leadership of International Kingdom University Florida, USA, for promoting education, leadership, and global cooperation, and expressed appreciation to partners including the Global Union for Peace and Development (GUPD) and Peniel Mission Ministries.
“As PA and Global Supreme Chief of Staff, I remain committed to strengthening partnerships between institutions, governments, and communities so that together we can build strong systems that support peace, development, and opportunity for all people,” she declared.
She also acknowledged the support of local authorities in Nyahururu and Laikipia County, as well as the roles of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Police Service (NP) in maintaining ethical governance and protecting communities.
President’s message ends in blessings – not answers
Princess Adekola, speaking on behalf of her boss, also read out a speech attributed to Professor Eugene Kavune Nzabonimba, which struck a tone of prophetic authority and international scope.
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to address you today here in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, Kenya, during this important gathering of leaders committed to peace, development, and service to humanity,” the speech began.
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Kavune’s message thanked God for uniting leaders from different institutions and acknowledged numerous organizations dedicated to peace, integrity, and humanitarian service. In a striking departure from typical diplomatic speeches, Kavune named international security and anti-corruption bodies, including Integom Limited, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNACCC), International Global Mission (IGM) and International Security depository Limited.
He also offered personal blessings to individuals such as Amba Dr. Maria and prayed for President William Ruto and all citizens of Kenya.
“May God bless you all. May God bless Kenya. May God bless Africa. And may God bless the whole world,” the speech concluded.
Bitter exit for disillusioned elders
For the 2,000 elderly men and women who had come seeking tangible hope, the lofty words of global peace and divine blessings rang hollow. They left the grounds tired, hungry, and with no clearer understanding of when — or if — the promised land and funds would ever come.
As one elder, who asked not to be named, put it: “We came for land and help. We got prayers and titles. We are going back with nothing — not even a glass of water.”
According to available information in the internet, Amb. Cardinal Prof. Eugene Kavune Nzabonimba, PhD is the Africa Head for Business Operations and the Peace Movement at the Eurasia Afro Chamber of Commerce (EACC), Nairobi. Promoted in November 2025 from President – Africa Head (Peace Movement), he leads continental business operations and UN Charterbased peace programs focused on conflict prevention, rule of law, and anti-corruption systems in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
He is the nominated Civil Member and Representative of the EACC to the UN (Non-Governmental Liaison Service) for the 2026–27 term, and advances Eurasia-Africa cooperation, youth/women’s empowerment, and faith-driven diplomacy in partnership with the Global Union of Peace and Development (GUPD) and Peniel Mission Ministries (PMM).
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