Women leaders have condemned politicians for condoning the constant bandit and cattle rustling attacks in several parts of the country.
The African Women Leaders Network and the Kenya Women Mediators Group faulted politicians for neglecting the situation even as they campaign for political offices.
They issued a joint press statement read by ALWN chairperson and Echo Network Africa chief executive Jennifer Riria in Nairobi on Tuesday.
“It is very sad that since the inter-tribal clashes conflict in Marsabit relating to the two main tribes in the area at the end of last year, 40 lives have been lost," Riria said.
"Property worth millions has also been lost. Learning was also interrupted as schools were shut down and people have been displaced."
“It is ridiculous that leaders in those areas condone these acts of violence. The highest responsibility of all these violent situations lay basically with presidential aspirants,” she said.
She said the most affected were children and people with disabilities, especially women.
“We have not heard any of the presidential aspirants speaking up and calling out these violent incidences. And the people of this country should decide if they want to choose people who condone violence.”
Riria said seeds of discord were being planted countrywide by politicians who later come out to issue halfhearted apologies after the violence has occurred.
She called on faith-based institutions to speak out against violence during this political season.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
