ELDERS from the Mijikenda community in Vitengeni division Kilifi county have challenged political leaders to preach peace among their supporters across the country.
Led by elders from Kaya Godoma, the elders said most of the atrocities that happen after elections are normally fanned by political leaders.
Speaking after the flagging off of a 90-kilometre peace walk, Kaya Godoma chief elder Mangi Mitsanze noted that most of our leaders fail to display patriotism and instead focused on their own communities and personal interests.
“In this country we have true patriots who do a lot for the country but in most cases our leaders incite us and we forget that Kenya is one,” said Mitsanze.
“We pray as elders from the Mijikenda community that this time round our leaders shall keep their personal interests aside and focus on issues that will enable the country to peacefully coexist even after the elections,” he added.
The eldest of the participants in the peace walk, Karisa Kifola, 82, said the key to Kenya’s peace lies in the hands of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Kifola said the two principals command a big share of followers who would do anything they command. “My prayer is that our leaders will be guided by God and our ancestors to bind this country together so that whatever the outcome of the elections Kenya should remain united” said Kifolo.
Addressing the participants shortly before he flagged off the walk at Mrima Wa Ndege chiefs office, Vitengeni DO Vincet Kibara commended the elders for coming up with the idea and called on other members of the community to join them to make the walk a success.
Kibara said the area might not have experienced the post election violence directly but its effect was immense and urged the elders to extend the initiative beyond the district.
The walk started at the chiefs office in Mrima wa Ndege on Saturday and will end at the Ganze DC’s office today (Monday) where peace prayers by the kaya elders, Muslim and Christian leaders will be conducted. The walk will take participants through all four divisions of Ganze district and will take several days.