Nyanza IDPs chairman Nelson Owegi in his electronics shop in Kisumu. [Photo/the-star]
Nyanza Region Network for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Chairman Nelson Owegi has urged political leaders across the political divide to embrace peace.
Owegi said that politicians aligned to the ruling Jubilee party and those in National Super Alliance (NASA) camp should preach peace in order to prevent a re-occurrence of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Speaking in Kisumu on Thursday, Owegi said political players in this country led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga have a bigger responsibility in ensuring peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.
He called on youth to avoid causing chaos and looting businesses whenever there are demonstrations in Kisumu. “For Kisumu to grow economically, we need investors. Investors cannot invest here when they know that their businesses will be looted at the slightest opportunity,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Maurine Opondo, who is the women representatives in the Nyanza IDPs Network.
Opondo urged social media users especially youth to use the tool in spreading peace messages, instead of using social media to spur hateful and tribal massages.
The Nyanza IDPs Network comprises of Kenyans from Nyanza region who were vastly affected by the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Most of them were living and working in various towns such as Nakuru, Nairobi, and Mombasa.