A section of women from Uasin Gishu County has asked for forgiveness from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga following a recent incident in which his helicopter was stoned by rowdy youths.
Led by Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Rift Valley chairperson Ann Kibet, the women termed the incident unfortunate.
They however pledged to champion peace and cohesion in the region so that all politicians are allowed to ask for votes without any fear of being attacked.
“As women, we’re asking for forgiveness for that incident,” Kibet said on Tuesday, during a women empowerment meeting in Soy Constituency.
“We love peace and we don’t wish what was witnessed in Kabenes is repeated,” she added.
During the incident, a helicopter that the ODM leader was using was stoned and a windscreen shattered after a section of youths pelted it with stones.
Raila was in Kabenes for the burial of former Uasin Gishu farmer and politician Jackson Kibor.
Already 17 youths linked to the incident have been arrested and arraigned before an Eldoret court that allowed the police to hold them for 7 more days to conclude their investigations.
And following the incident, the women now say they will take the lead in preaching peace and unity, especially during this campaign period.
They also challenged the youth now to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence.
“In Uasin Gishu we want to live peacefully, and we welcome visitors. We urge our children not to allow themselves to be used by politicians – like those in cells now, parents might be forced to sell land to pay the helicopter repair costs,” said the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Rift Valley chairperson.
Similar sentiments were shared by Bendictor Tanui, a women’s leader in Uasin Gishu who expressed the need for more efforts to engage the youth on the importance of peace.
“We will continue to ask our youth to avoid engaging in violence which might destroy their lives,” she said.
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