Attempts by goons to disrupt a public meeting at Garissa primary school playgrounds organised by women leaders under the Embrace caucus was on Saturday thwarted by police
Police in riot gear at one point were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the goons who wanted to forcefully enter the playground. The meeting went on peacefully.
Led by the Wajir Women Rep, Fatuma Gedi, her Homa-Bay counterpart, Gladys Wanga, Chief Administrative Secretary for Public Service (CAS), Rachel Shebesh and the Nairobi County Speaker, Beatrice Elachi, the women leaders accused their opponents of hiring goons to try and disrupt their meeting.
They emphasized the need for Kenyans to embrace peace for development to thrive. Security was tight in and around the venue throughout the meeting.
“We will continue preaching peace and unity amongst all Kenyans, we are not fighting anyone but we will not be cowed into silence,” Likoni MP Mishi Mboko said.
They urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to heighten the war on graft that has contributed to numerous social ills within Kenyan societies.
“We are telling President Uhuru Kenyatta don’t slide back in the fight against corruption because it’s the reason many young people are jobless amongst other ills,” Mboko said.
The Likoni legislator said although the Jubilee Party fielded a candidates in the forthcoming Kibra by-election it will not dampen unity between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader, Raila Odinga.
Gedi who was the host said the political ground has shifted and they should not be swayed.
She said the government has initiated various developments in the region, including connecting Garissa town to the national grid and the tarmacking of the 160-kilometre Garissa – Modogashe road.
She added that the extension of the tarmac from Modogahse to Wajir and Isiolo – Wajir was at an advanced stage.
The woman rep asked County assemblies in the region to reject, Dr. Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo.
Wanga on her part asked residents to support the Building Bridges Report findings.
The function was also attended by over 30 women leaders among them, Rosa Buyu Kisumu rep amongst others.
By Jacob Songok
