Elders from various ethnic communities have been challenged to ensure women are recruited as members of councils of elders to give them a chance to participate in communities' decision making processes.
Abagusii Elders Council Chairman, senior retired Chief James Matundura has underscored the importance of communities across the country incorporating women while constituting their elders councils, saying women play a critical role in mediation and peace building in communities.
Speaking on Tuesday at Gusii Stadium during the marking of Mashujaa Day celebrations, Matundura singled out the Abagusii Elders Council which he said was doing good work with a lot of support from women in their council whose input he said had immensely contributed to the council's progress in dispute and conflict resolutions.
"I am proud to report to you that Abagusii Elders Council has become a role model in the country since elders drawn from the 47 counties recently held a bench marking national elders conference at Kisii University, during which they identified the incorporation of women in our elders' councils as a milestone in the history of the elders' councils across the country," noted Matundura.
Matundura encouraged the councils to emulate their Gusii counterparts and ensure women are given a chance to be members in their respective communities' elders councils to tap their potential in dispute and conflict resolution.