By Betty Luke
Isiolo leaders, elders, clergy, senior security officers and some residents were seated when she stood to speak.
And like other attendees, Ms Monica Gikundi was given a chance to speak at the security meeting that was called by County Commissioner Herman Shambi at Isiolo Police mess following unrest in the town after a bodaboda rider was killed on suspicion of being a thief.
In a rather calculative but cunning manner, she started by stressing the need for all Isiolo residents to live in peace and then abruptly started lecturing four MPs and Governor Mohamed Kuti accusing them of dividing residents for their own selfish gains.
Seemingly furious and in a commanding tone, the business lady blamed the leaders’ differences for the recent fighting between two communities that left about 10 people injured and several business people counting losses after their shops were looted.
In a video that is trending online, the daring Ms Gikundi accuses Dr Kuti, Senator Fatuma Dullo, Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa and MPs Hassan Odha and Abdi Koropu of Isiolo North and South of sowing the seed of discord among communities and misusing youth who desperately need jobs.
“Do not bring us your issues. Your differences are what is making our youth with no jobs to fight. Those with differences should take them to a field and fight out. If you have differences, do like men, meet and fight but do not involve us in your fights,” she said leaving the audience shocked.
“Why are you inciting our people?” she posed to the leaders who remained mum with their faces looking seemingly disappointed.
While accusing them of hypocrisy, she took a swipe at them for reportedly allowing violence to escalate before coming together to seek a lasting solution.
”We did not elect you to come and divide us. Were it not for the several times you have been fighting each other, our people would not be fighting. We did not vote you in to come and show us how you can fight,” she said.
The resident said it was unfortunate that the leaders, most of whom rarely meet or share a podium, had united due to the unrest that halted business in Isiolo town for four days.
“I have never seen all of you seated together like it is today. Don’t be waiting until there is fight or bloodshed to come and show us that you are concerned,” Ms Gikundi went on.
The differences, she said, were so real that the leaders were paying goons to disrupt each other’s meetings in a show of political might.
“If you show us you are fighting, we will fight but if you show us you are united, we will unite. If you cannot solve out your issues, go to court and we will come to hear your cases,” she noted.
“Simply because there is an issue, you have come here to pretend that you are so good when we know that you are not and that is why we will send you packing in 2022,” she said before handing over the microphone.
The last Sunday’s meeting was meant to find a lasting solution to the skirmishes.
Residents have lauded the woman for the courage to lecture the leaders to their faces.
“We need such people who will tell leaders the plain truth without fearing them,” Mr Adan Waqo posted on one of the Whatsapp groups.
Ms Rukia Hassan said, to avoid such embarrassments, leaders should refrain from spewing differences in public.
“They deserved it because they are the ones who showed us that they are divided,” she shared on Facebook.
