‘Woman with the biggest heart’: Leaders comfort Elachi as son laid to rest

Speakers told of Elachi’s strength and faith, urging her to take comfort during the difficult time.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire urged Elachi to stay strong, adding that she has always been the strong one in the sisterhood of women politicians and beyond.

“You have always been there for us whenever we have issues in our families… you’re one person with the biggest heart that I know of,” Mbarire said.

She recounted the time of former Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso was ill and she visited her in hospital and helped take care of her, while comforting other leaders when they were “too scared”.

“She took care of that lady. She stood there when we were all too scared and crying. She was the strong one among us,” Mbarire said.

Mbarire applauded the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) for standing by Elachi and helping plan the last rites for Elvis.

“That is what it is all about – being there for each other, beyond the political divide,” she said.

On her part, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga recounted how Elachi spent a week with her during the campaign trail after opinion polls had suggested that she was not going to win the election.

Adding that people were calling her, asking if she wanted Elachi to lose the Dagoretti North MP seat because she too was supposed to be campaigning in the constituency, Wanga said that Elachi has always had faith and encouraged her during the journey.

Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo regretted the tragedy adding, “The order of things is that parents should not be burying their children.”

She continued, “As a country, we need to do some soul searching. We have very angry youth.”

Namenya, 27, died in an accident.