Religious leaders from Baringo, Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, Samburu and Narok Counties have raised concern over the increasing cases of insecurity in the North Rift and called on the government to deploy stronger measures to curb the insecurity incidents.
Led by National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) South Rift region chairman Rt. Rev. Ernest Ng’eno, the religious leaders urged the government to take stern action against politicians and individuals having a hand in violence either directly or indirectly.
Ng’eno urged the interior Ministry to strengthen community policing, revamp and empower Peace Committees’ structures to promote peace and cohesion.
“The government should engage the church leaders in ethnic dialogue forum initiatives and promote public-police trust for enhanced early warning and intelligence sharing at the community level,” he said.
They called on the government to address the high cost of living, accelerate the delivery of quality services and end corruption in the country.
“It is our biggest cry to President William Ruto that the most urgent concern of the people of Kenya is to lower the skyrocketing cost of living amidst other socio-economic and political challenges,” he said.
The religious leaders called on the county governments in regions prone to banditry attack to accelerate the delivery of quality services and prioritize community-felt needs for sustainable development.
“It is intriguing to hear from the Auditor General reports that some County Governments have zero development reports, others have increased revenue with zero development while some recorded declined revenue collection,” he said.
The group called for honest fight against corruption urging the relevant government institutions to prosecute any person who has been involved in any irregular processes to misappropriate state resources for their selfish interests.
On this note, the leaders called on the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to desist from any other attempts to withdraw corruption cases saying it is not right and unfair to the people of Kenya.
The leaders pleaded with all leaders, institutions and Kenyans to protect, adhere and promote the constitution and laws of Kenya.
They condoled with the family of Member of Samburu County Assembly late Paul Leshimpiro, who died after he was allegedly shot in a banditry attack.
“We are taking time to pray for the region to attain peace and the nation at large and we are also inviting all Kenyans to join hands in the same,” they concluded.
They spoke at ACK St’ Luke’s Church, in Narok town on Thursday in a meeting attended by Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Narok Chapter Chairman Ali Juma and Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Ngong Diocese Chairman Fr. John Nderitu.
By Ann Salaton
