Mrs. Kirui presents her speech during the award ceremony

When Lucy Kirui decided to give a helping hand to the victims of post election violence, little did she know that soon after the violence had subsided and calm had returned she will enter the history books by becoming the first woman from the newly created Kipkelion district to earn the Head of State commendation.

Her humanitarian efforts helped bring hope and joy to thousands of women, children and old people who were fleeing the violence torn district.

Even as groups of marauding youths were busy evicting their neighbors with whom they had lived for ages, Ms Kirui stood firm and offered refuge to the displaced families by giving them shelter.

Ms Kirui was so touched by the plight of the fleeing victims that she turned the shelter into a home where the victims would later stay for six months as the peace process initiated by the government to return them to their farms intensified.

During a ceremony where Lucy was awarded a medal for her good work by Kipkelion District Commissioner, Mr. Aden Harakhe, Mrs. Kirui said she is dedicating the medal to all women in the district and the entire womenfolk in the country.

“I’m extremely happy that at least somebody has recognized the efforts of the women to restore peace in the country. I sincerely thank President Mwai Kibaki for bestowing me such a big honor” said Mrs. Kirui.

Kipkelion DC described Mrs. Kirui as a woman of strong and great faith who should be emulated by all residents of Kipkelion for restoring faith and peace in her own right.

‘The fact that she was in the forefront to restore peace in Kipkelion is enough recognition and her medal is a big win for peace in the district’ said the DC.

The DC said that her negotiation skills to cool down the heightened tension which engulfed Kipkelion.

Mrs. Kirui said the medal is now a new light which has shone all over Kipkelion district adding, “It is my hope that many more women will follow suit and play their role as peace makers.”

However, she lamented that for a long time women in her community had been marginalized and hoped that with her recognition this would change.

At the same time she thanked the men in the district for allowing their wives to attend Maendeleo y Wanawake meetings where peace building meetings were taking place in the district.

Her quick move to start a home to help the victims who were attacked by their neighbors soon after the controversial Presidential elections results has earned her respect amongst her community and people perceived to be outsiders living in the district.

Women in her community are not involved in major decision making but her move to spearhead a campaign to resettle the victims back to their farms will remain a landmark in championing for women’s empowerment for many years to come.

Mrs. Kirui says the Bethel Home was started when she sold the idea to several women in the area who were also touched by the plight of the fleeing victims.

During her talks with fellow women, she emphasized the need for locals to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors in order for them to prosper.

Mrs. Kirui who is a former teacher was instrumental in the resettlement the internally displaced persons in the district which became the first district to welcome back home the refugees through the government initiated Operation Rudi Nyumbani.

The home which was vehemently opposed by her community when it was first begun is now home to more than 40 children some of whom were abandoned by their families when the violence escalated.

Most of the children at the home are now orphans after their parents were killed during the skirmishes.

“I did all this because of the love I have for love children and even before God’s eyes it is wrong to let children suffer when you are in a position to help.” said Mrs. Kirui.

She added that she used to hold meetings in every village to convince the locals of the need to accommodate the displaced people who were returning to their homes.

“It was not an easy task but I managed through the grace of God.” she said.

Mrs. Kirui is a former Principal of Londiani Girls Secondary School, arguably one of the most successful secondary school in the greater Kericho district. She has also taught at the Kericho Teachers Training College. She said the training she acquired in teaching greatly assisted her in her reconciliation and peace building mission.

“I felt I had a basic duty to God first and then to humanity and that is why I decided I will not rest until peace is restored in Kipkelion.” said Lucy.

She said that her joy in life would be to see the less fortunate members of the society enjoy life and are not left to suffer for mistakes they did not commit..

Mrs. Kirui who is also the chairperson of the local Maendeleo ya Wanawake said that she feels hurt every moment she sees rights of women in her community trampled due to outdated cultural beliefs which have been overtaken by time.

The newly created district is vast and she was forced to travel long distances, walking from door to door t preach peace, a move which helped to win the hearts of many and changed their thinking over their perceived enemies

She said that she mobilized many women, and attributes the success of her efforts to their help.

The home, which is now a symbol of hope to orphaned children, has children from a cross section of tribes from all over the country.

One of the students at the home is a fourth year university student, another one is a nursing student at Tenwek Hospital while others are doing various courses in the district.

Mrs. Kirui added that two children from the home are waiting to join University in September.

Her prowess in bringing women together has seen her start a women rural based SACCO in Kipkelion town which has assisted the women folk in the area access credit facilities to start income generating projects.

“Most of our women in the community I come from are used to handouts, or depend on their husbands but my plan is to change this trend and make them breadwinners in their own right.’ says Mrs. Kirui.

Ms Kirui who is also in the forefront for the campaign against FGM in the district has seen her efforts yield fruit and the practice, which had been rampant in the district, has drastically reduced.

Area District Office, Mr. Arthur Bunde, said that Mrs. Kirui has been very instrumental in various development activities in the district and urged other stakeholders in the district to follow in her footsteps.

Several women and men interview said that her efforts have not only changed their attitude but their lifestyles too.