Baringo county assembly speaker David Kerich has donated 53 thermal guns worth Sh 265,000 to local churches and mosques in the area to help in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
Handing over the equipment to church leaders and Imams at his Kabarnet town residence on Thursday, the speaker said he decided to donate the thermo guns after hearing of the difficulties churches were facing in acquiring the gadgets, which he noted, was a mandatory requirement by the government for reopening of places of worship.
Mr Kerich in his brief address to the clergy appealed to local leaders and other able members of the community to support the church during these hard times of Covid-19 disease.
“I donated these thermos guns after receiving about 266 requests from church leaders to assist them purchase the same to enable them meet reopening requirement. They told me that they were finding it difficult getting money to buy the critical gadgets. I agreed and that is why we are here today to hand over the thermometers. I also call on other leaders and advantaged members to try what they can to assist the church,” noted Kerich.
He said the clergy should not suffer during this time while well blessed members of the community have enough which should be shared out to them at the hour of need.
“You know that they are suffering now because their stipends come from our offerings and tithes which has not been forthcoming after the churches were closed for about four months because of the pandemic. Do not let them suffer when you are there,” he pleaded.
The speaker urged the national and county government to provide area people with relief supplies and other basic necessities such as soaps and cooking oils as most of them had lost their businesses and other livelihoods due to the dreaded Covid-19 disease.
Receiving the guns, the clergy led by chairman of Interfaith Baringo county Bishop Julius Chepsat and Bishop Daniel Chemon of Full Gospel Churches of Kenya (FGCK), Kabarnet township church thanked the speaker for his generous donation saying the guns will go a long way in helping some of the churches which had reopened their door for worship.
They asked other leaders who are touched by the plight of the church at this time of Coronavirus to come forward and assist where necessary.
On alcohol and drugs abuse by the youth, the church leaders expressed concern over the rise in the number of youth who overindulge in consumption of the dangerous substances.
They noted that many youths do not attend the church and instead spend most of their time and energies on consumption of second generation drinks which have serious consequences on their health particularly during this time when there is upsurge of Covid-19 pandemic.
The clergy appealed to police officers to enforce the law to the letter and close down all joints still selling alcohol to local youth despite the ban on bars and other joints dealing with alcohol.
By Joshua Kibet
