January 9, 2025

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Elders plan joint pre-polls meetings to endorse peace 

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Elders from the Kikuyu, Luo and other community leaders will hold joint meetings to sensitize residents on the need to embrace the Azimio coalition as the long-lasting solution for peace across the Country.

Already the two community elders have held numerous meetings to embrace handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Kikuyu elders led by chairman Wachira Wakiago were hosted by their counterparts in Bondo last year courtesy of Raila Odinga and James Orengo.

Raila’s allies and Kikuyu elders met in a colourful event that marked the culmination of a journey that began in 2019 with where elders have had a series of back and forth meetings in Nairobi, Siaya, and Nyeri counties.

Kikuyu Council of Elders, Kiama Kiama install Kinyua Mwangi as national  patron

The two councils have called for tolerance and peaceful campaigns in the Country ahead of the august elections. 

Speaking on Monday, Kikuyu council of elders’ national chairman Wachira Kiago said that in April they will have a mega event that will bring together elders from all communities supporting Azimio.

Wachira said that currently, they are reaching out to Abagusii, Luhya and Maasai elders to forge a united front and preach peace.

He said that the meeting will be held at a central point where leaders will be comfortable and ready to participate.

“We have been having several meetings with Luo elders and now in the next mega pre-election meeting, all elders from communities supporting Azimio will be invited as we must speak in one voice, “he said.

He termed Raila Odinga as the best candidate to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta while still maintaining that the question of deputy candidate shouldn’t be politicized.

Topic : Kikuyu Council Of Elders - People Daily

Wachira said as the country heads to the polls leaders and all Kenyans should avoid actions that can trigger animosity.

His counterpart Luo Council of Elderschairman Opiyo Otondi said that the unity of the country is paramount and all leaders should advocate for it.

Opiyo said that both Kikuyu and Luo elders have done all that they could in uniting the country and what is left out is to celebrate after a handshake.

“I have been a great supporter of the handshake and I did a lot to convince Raila to join hands with Uhuru and I’m happy to see them working together, “he said.

Kenya National Council of elders’ national chairman Major (Rtd) John Seii has also supported the initiative, saying elections should not make Kenyans turn against each other.

“We will sensitize our youth and work with our leaders to ensure peaceful election campaigns,” Seii said.

He said that the national cohesion and integration of the Kenyans is key to economic prosperity.

“We as elders, we tell politicians to play a friendly match as they campaign and stop attacking each other, politics is a game, it will come and go,” Major (Rtd) John Seii said.

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He added that Kenyans irrespective of political affiliation should not be divided and they should remain united and relate to each other as brothers and sisters.

Abagusii council of Elders national chairman James Matundura said that the meeting will help all leaders together to preach peace.

The expected meeting between various leaders will be basically to sensitize the community to preach peace and harmony, “he said.

He congratulated President Uhuru Kenyatta and former prime minister Raila Odinga for preaching and uniting Kenyans through a handshake.

“Elders across the Country we have a role to play during this year’s general election, we must preach peace and show direction to our children and supporters,” Matundura said.

Last year in November, the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin communities in Rift Valley launched a new initiative to strengthen peace and unity in the region ahead of the 2022 polls.

Elders and leaders from the two communities vowed they will work with all other stakeholders in the region to prioritize peace and ensure election campaigns are done maturely and democratically.

“We are heading to the elections but our priority will be peace and unity for our people during the period,” the Kikuyu community in Rift Valley vice chairman Joseph Wainaina said during a past event.

Governors in the North Rift region led by Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu have also pledged to ensure smooth elections in the region but cautioned civil society groups and external actors against inciting residents.