Mama na Mashinani chair lady Mildred Odinga addressing journalists in Mombasa. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
A women’s lobby group in Mombasa ‘Mama na Mashinani’ has cautioned youth against being used by politicians ahead of next week’s repeat presidential poll.The grassroots lobby group has also urged Kenyans to ignore NASA calls of boycotting the elections and instead come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote on October 26.Addressing journalists in Mombasa, the lobby’s chair lady Mildred Odinga said young people should reject those who incite them to cause mayhem and confusion, especially during electioneering periods.Odinga said youth have borne the brunt of the opposition demonstrations to push for reforms at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).She said the electorate should reject threats and propaganda by individuals out to discredit the election process and exercise their democratic right to vote without intimidation or coercion.“Young people should refuse to be misused by rogue politicians out to stir conflicts and misunderstandings,” said Odinga.She said businesses in the Coastal city have suffered in the past few weeks due to the NASA protests.“As a country, we have peace and that peace should jealously be guarded by Kenyans at all times,” she added.She said the leading opposition political figures who are calling for the street demonstrations lack the guts to hit the streets themselves.On her part, Aisha Juma, a political activist, urged youth to actively participate in the forthcoming presidential repeat election and reject leaders who use them to engage in lawless activities.