By Robert Mutasi 
Eldoret youths form minority communities have condemned statements by nominated Member of Parliament Joseph Wainaina reminding politicians to avoid using ethnicity, goons and violence to advance their political ambitions.
The youths said they are not willing to be used as goons or recruited to cause violence and insecurity as the country prepares to hold its third round of presidential elections.
The warnings from the young people were made as several community leaders from minority groups urged politicians to focus their energies on wooing the people using development agenda instead of tribal politics, money and violence.
The meeting which was held in Eldoret was attended by Patrick Ouma, Joel Otieno, Mercy Wamboi, Bonface Nangabo and Alex Omondi.
Ouma said Kenyans should endeavour to maintain the peace prevailing in the country so that people can freely live in all parts of the country.
He said peace and security must be sustained for the country to realise its developmental agenda.
“The peace and security must be sustained for the country to realise its developmental agenda.
As Kenyans we are free to live in any part of this country and there are great advantages of living together in peace and unity as we have the best opportunities for achieving development,” he said.
Wamboi also said Kenyans should do away with leadership by individuals whose actions hurt public interests and cause divisions in the communities.
She said the minority communities in the North Rift region have their own rights to reside in the region and therefore should not be harassed for exercising their rights.
“You are free to live and work in any part of this country and for those of us in the North Rift, this is our home and we are not going anywhere else as per the wish of a misguided individual,” she said.
Nangabo said politicians in Kenya have been using intimidation to woo the masses instead of developing Kenya and creating jobs for the youths.
He said minority youths would not be intimidated and would stand by politicians who respect unity and peace and promote development.
“As youth from minority groups we will not be intimidated. We will only listen to development issues and matters affecting peace and unity,” he said.
Nangabo further urged politicians to avoid using the youth as goons in the elections.
The youths said such a move would be detrimental to the country’s security.
“The politicians who use goons to threaten and kill their opponents must know that it would be more advantageous to the country if the youth are given jobs and opportunities rather than using them as goons to destroy the country,” he said.
Otieno said minority youths had begun consulting elders and other community leaders on matters affecting the community including holding talks on matters related to political developments.
He said the meetings would culminate in a formal meeting where the youths would deliberate on matters affecting the minority communities.
“We are in the process of consulting elders and community leaders and we plan to have a formal meeting where we will discuss issues affecting the minorities and come out with the agenda for the coming elections,” he said.
The youths also said tribalism, threats and violence should not be used to rally votes as politicians must resort to peaceful means of persuading Kenyans to vote for them.
Their concerns were raised as many politicians and their subjects have been urging people to uphold peace and avoid tribal tensions as the country prepares to hold its third round of presidential elections.
The youths also called for unity and urged Kenyans to work together to achieve security and development as opposed to division, violence and insecurity.