Vice Chairman of the Luo Council of elders in Eldoret Maricus Orinda (L) with Huruma ward ODM politician Fred Ochieng
Elders from various communities in Eldoret have endorsed
President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
The elders said the President has delivered on most of his
promises and deserves another term to complete projects initiated across the
country.
The elders also called for an end to political goonism,
warning that the use of gangs during political activities poses a threat to
national security as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
The elders, drawn from the Kalenjin, Luhya, Kisii, Kikuyu
and Luo communities, among others, urged politicians to preach peace and unity
during campaign meetings.
Speaking at Huruma Primary School in Eldoret, the elders
were led by Mzee Paul Arab Chesingil, David Nyambane, Vice chairman of the Luo
Council of Elders Maricus Orinda, and Women Representative Dorcas Chebet, among
others.
The elders were attending a meeting where they endorsed Fred
Ochieng to contest the Huruma MCA seat on an ODM ticket in the 2027 elections.
“We are here as elders first to ask our people from all
communities to ensure they keep peace and unity at all times, especially as we
head to the elections next year. As a nation, we cannot achieve anything
without peace, and that should always be the main priority for all of us,”
Orinda said.
He said the elders were opposed to the use of goons by
politicians during campaign meetings and called on security agencies to deal
firmly with those seeking to cause anarchy for selfish interests.
“Those vying for seats should campaign peacefully and
persuade voters instead of seeking to use goons. We are a democratic country
and people should be free to choose the leaders they wish to have,” Orinda
said.
He said the elders had endorsed Ochieng because they
believed in his leadership qualities, but urged him to compete fairly while
maintaining peace and unity among residents.
Huruma Ward has more than 35,000 registered voters, making
it one of the wards with the largest voter populations in the Rift Valley
region.
The largely cosmopolitan ward covers a significant part of
Eldoret and has traditionally attracted heated campaigns.
Ochieng pledged to make peace and unity central to his
campaign and urged fellow aspirants to do the same.
“I know I have a good plan for Huruma ward, and I urge all
those who will be vying to focus on how we can use leadership to improve the
livelihoods of the people of Huruma and other Kenyans,” he said.
Orinda also praised Ruto, saying the President had done well
in bringing together communities and ensuring government projects were
initiated across the country.
“Ruto’s work can be seen in all parts of the country and, as
elders, we believe he needs a second term to complete the good work he has
initiated in all sectors and in all counties across the country,” he said.
Nyambane and Chesingil urged Kenyans to scrutinise the
records and plans of politicians before voting for them.
“At least for Ruto, we can see the work he has done and we
can use that record to ask Kenyans to give him a second term so that he can
complete the ongoing projects,” Chesingil said.