Ida cautions leaders over instigating poll violence
ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife Mama Ida has warned Nyanza politicians against political violence ahead of 2022 elections.
She condemned leaders who were instigating violence against their opponents, a trend, she claimed, would polarise the political environment.
“We want candidates to campaign peacefully, without bad mouthing others,’’ she said during an interview with journalists. Ida was unhappy with the recent attack of ODM chairman John Mbadi while on campaign trail in Homa Bay county by goons.
“It is wrong for people to assault leaders. There is need to exercise tolerance by all means,” she said.
She asked leaders and all those aspiring for various seats to ensure that they stick to issues and not character assassination.
“Don’t accuse someone falsely, please. I beseech you to avoid ill contempt,” pleaded Ida.
And she had a resounding message especially to the Luo political elites to guard against reckless speeches.
“We want people to restrain from hate speech and conduct issue based campaigns,’’ she said.
Ida reminded the politicians of their civic duty to enlighten the public adding that those fond of propagating hate speeches risk being blacklisted from the party. Ida asked all aspirants to make sure that they sell ideas that will transform the people’s lives and not insults. She claimed that violence would deter women with potential from running for elective seats.
