Immediate former Migori Woman Representative and gubernatorial aspirant Dr Pamela Odhiambo has made a passionate appeal for peaceful, issue-based politics as Migori County braces for the next electoral cycle.
Speaking in Wasimbete Ward after a church service attended by Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo and a host of Migori political leaders, Dr. Odhiambo lauded the PS for his commitment to development and empowerment initiatives targeting vulnerable groups across the country.
“We would like to sincerely appreciate the good work the Principal Secretary has done in this country,” she said. “Under his stewardship, we have seen tangible empowerment programs that are transforming lives at the grassroots level. Vulnerable families, women, and youth have benefited from initiatives that restore dignity and economic independence.”
Dr. Odhiambo, who is seeking the Migori gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket, expressed deep concern over escalating political tensions in the county, referencing recent altercations that have disrupted public meetings and heightened anxiety among residents.
Migori County has in recent months witnessed sporadic confrontations between rival political camps, with youth groups clashing during public gatherings. These incidents, she noted, risk plunging the county into instability at a time when residents are yearning for development and economic progress.
“What we have witnessed in Migori can only be compared to a biblical Armageddon,” Dr. Odhiambo said. “The chaos, the hostility, the fear—it leaves our most vulnerable populations exposed. Women bear the brunt of every conflict. When violence erupts, it is mothers who nurse the wounded, widows who mourn their husbands, and families that struggle to rebuild broken livelihoods.”
She emphasized that the youth casualties often reported during political unrest are a painful reminder that “every young life lost or injured is born of a mother.”
“Every time there is conflict, women suffer disproportionately,” she added. “Even the casualties witnessed among our youth are children birthed by women. We cannot normalize this cycle of violence.”
Dr. Odhiambo called upon the President to continue championing peace and unity as the country approaches the next elections, urging local leaders to emulate his example.
“In calling on the President to embrace peace as we head to the next elections, our leaders must follow in his footsteps,” she stated. “We must prioritize issue-based politics—politics that address healthcare, infrastructure, water, education, and economic empowerment—not politics that breach peace and divide our communities.”
She cautioned aspiring leaders across all political parties and cadres against inciting youth for political gain.
“We will not sit back and watch as our youths are muddled into violent campaigns. We will no longer condone violence in the name of politics. Those young people being used by politicians must desist from such acts. Their future is too precious to be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition.”
As a gubernatorial aspirant, she maintained that all candidates must commit to peaceful campaigns.
“Leadership is about responsibility. If you are seeking to lead Migori County, you must demonstrate the capacity to safeguard peace. We cannot claim to be leaders while fueling division.”
Dr. Odhiambo further appealed to PS Omollo to extend targeted support to widows in Suna West, particularly those affected by election-related violence and the harsh socio-economic conditions in the mining belt.
“Kindly find a place in your heart to accommodate more widows in your current empowerment programs,” she urged. “Create an enabling environment for them to access economic opportunities and social protection. Add as many as possible to your already established networks for the betterment of this vulnerable group.”
She highlighted that many widows in the mining zones face compounded challenges including poverty, unsafe working conditions, and limited access to formal employment opportunities.
“When we uplift a widow, we uplift an entire household. When we empower a woman economically, we secure the future of her children.”
In a direct appeal to religious leaders, Dr. Odhiambo called on the clergy to act as custodians of peace and refrain from partisan politics.
“The church must remain a sanctuary for unity, not a battleground for political supremacy,” she said. “The clergy have a sacred responsibility to foster peace and ensure that politicians do not use the pulpit to spearhead political divisions.”
She warned that perceived partisanship within the clergy could inflame an already tense political environment.
“Fence-sitting or subtle endorsements will only raise the political temperature in a county that is already heated. Let the church stand firmly for peace, justice, and cohesion. Let it be the moral compass that guides us away from violence.”
Dr. Odhiambo concluded by reiterating her commitment to championing peace, inclusivity, and development as the foundation for Migori’s transformation.
“Our county has immense potential. But peace is the bedrock upon which development stands. Without peace, there is no investment. Without peace, there is no prosperity. Without peace, our dreams for Migori will remain just that—dreams.”
She urged residents, leaders, and institutions alike to choose dialogue over confrontation and unity over division as the election season approaches.
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