- Chamosi said they are looking for ways in which the candidates can be engaged and given necessary counselling.
- He, however, urged the elected leaders to serve with diligence and integrity.
Image: FILE
Human Rights Agenda will launch a trauma healing programme to give psychosocial support to the political candidates who lost the elections.
According to Huria project officer Mwinyihaji Chamosi, many candidates who were trounced are currently suffering from severe mental stress.
He said many had taken loans, betting on their win to settle debts but ended up losing.
Chamosi said there are cases where agents have not been paid and the politicians do not know where to get the money.
"Many politicians are traumatised for losing the elections. They are left with accumulating bills and have no means to resettle them," he said.
Chamosi said a huge per cent of the defeated politicians have not come to terms with the reality hence causing mental health disturbance.
The most affected are the upcoming politicians and those who have at least served once and failed to establish themselves knowing they will be re-elected.
Chamosi said they are looking for ways in which the candidates can be engaged and given necessary counselling.
"We are in the process of coming up with effective interventions for those who lost in the elections to be assisted and regain normalcy," he said.
Chamosi expressed fear that if some of the politicians won't get trauma healing sessions their mental health might deteriorate.
He, however, urged the elected leaders to serve with diligence and integrity.
The human rights defender underscored the need for them to assist the vulnerable communities which have suffered years of alienation.
"We are pleading with leaders to help persons living with disabilities, elderly, youth and women," he said.
In June, activists led by Chamosi petitioned political leaders to give the vulnerable people special preferential treatment.
The activists decried that the majority of the PWDs don't enjoy their constitutional rights.
At the same time, Chamosi hailed Kwale security officers for ensuring the elections were safe.
He said the police officers acted accordingly to various eventualities without using excessive force.
Chamosi said according to Huria's election observation report conducted in the three coastal counties of Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa, no police officer overstepped their mandate or infringed human rights during the election.
He, however, urged politicians to shun inciting people to violence as they disagree with some of the election results.
The right defender asked leaders to use peaceful channels to solve political disputes.
He said the presidential results have at the moment ignited a lot of tension and it is the responsibility of every leader to preach peace.
Chamosi also advised citizens to remain calm as candidates seek legal redress.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)