Why I did not attend Azimio protest – MP Beatrice Elachi
Dagoretti member of parliament Beatrice Elachi explained why she did not attend Monday’s protests by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya supporters at the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission offices
Speaking on Tuesday to Citizen TV Ms Elachi, said there are better ways of handling the situation rather than protests. Saying she believes in “diplomatic” methods to solve issues than protests.
“I believe in a different way of managing things. The problem with politicians is they fear their leaders, we don’t! We come here by the grace of God to stand for the country and so for this decision, it’s important also to use diplomacy because it works very well to achieve the same goal,” she said during a live TV interview.
Also read: Exclusive: I want to go home to mourn mum – DJ Evolve
Azimio MPs and their supporters on Monday held protests outside the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC offices in Nairobi as they were protesting the interdiction of IEBC Deputy CEO Ruth Kulundu over a “witch hunt from the commission.”
They want Kulundu reinstated, even as they accuse the IEBC of targeting officials perceived to be friendly to the party.
Kulundu was the secretary at a meeting in which four IEBC commissioners rejected the presidential election results announced by the commission’s chair, Wafula Chebukati, on August 15.
However, during the protests, the gates leading to Anniversary Towers were closed and some MPs were as some MPs were caught in the chaos.
Also read: Popular singer Joyce wa Mama nearly goes blind after an attack in a club
The police however opted to use teargas, demanding that the leaders disperse their supporters before they get an audience with the electoral body.
“I respect my senior (Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang) who believes in bringing it out, which is okay, and to inform Kenyans but mine is a diplomatic way,” Elachi said.
The former Nairobi County speaker however reiterated her support for Kulundu, saying what she is going through “is not right for the country, not when we have a progressive constitution.”
“I stand with Kulundu because as a woman who went through hell I know that in this country when women are being thrown out of institutions they are thrown out in a very merciless way. The way we will deal with her is more ruthless than the way we would deal with a man,” she added.
Also read:
Watch: Gunmen filmed abducting the brother of Kevin Otieno who was shot 36 times
Another dramatic Mirema Drive shootout by gunmen who shot Kevin Otieno 36 times
Exclusive: Singer Bahati speaks on Diana Marua’s health following eerie Instagram post
Exclusive: ‘The experience is magical,’ Lillian Ng’ang’a opens up about motherhood