BY JOSIAH ODANGA: Gem parliamentary aspirant Dr Christine Ombaka has declared that she would rather quit politics than embrace violence in pursuit of elective office, warning that the growing culture of political hooliganism is driving women away from leadership.

“I will quit politics if it becomes necessary to kill in order to lead,” she said while condemning what she described as the increasing use of hired gangs to disrupt political gatherings.

Ombaka said hired youths had continued to storm political meetings and even places of worship while brandishing knives and other crude weapons, hanging on leaders’ cars and creating an atmosphere of fear that disproportionately affects women seeking elective office.

“Women aspirants are the most affected. That is why, overtime, we have had so few women in Parliament,” she said.

She argued that women are naturally peace-loving and are often discouraged from joining politics when violence becomes the norm.

The former don, who is serving her third term as Siaya County lawmaker, is seeking the Gem parliamentary seat where she will face at least five male rivals, including incumbent MP Elisha Odhiambo, who is seeking a third term.

“In Gem, I am the only woman competing against men, and I have already witnessed elements of hooliganism in their campaigns. However ,I am ready to fight, not with knives but with genuine votes,” she said.

Dr Ombaka spoke during a fundraiser for the construction of Ulumbi ACK Parish in Gem-Yala.

She urged young people not to allow themselves to be used as political hooligans to intimidate opponents, saying such actions only undermine the electoral prospects of their preferred candidates.

She also said she had been elected to Parliament repeatedly without resorting to confrontation or violence.