The Baringo Women Representative, Gladwell Cheruiyot has urged well-to-do and local leaders in the area to provide for their respective church pastors at this time of need until the coronavirus pandemic situation improves.
Cheruiyot said the clergy should not suffer during this time when churches are closed, while members have enough in their stores 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 is not forthcoming now because of the pandemic. Do not let them suffer when you are there. Please help them so that they are able to provide for their families like other people,” she pleaded.
Speaking in Kabarnet town when she donated face masks, water tanks and hand sanitizers to residents of Baringo Central, the women representative also called on local leaders to team up in order to help marginalized segment of the community especially those in slums, widows, orphans and the elderly during this time of covid-19 movement restrictions.
“Let us be our neighbors’ keepers. Those with plenty, please assist your needy neighbours and the less fortunate members of our community,” she implored.
On covid-19, the MP advised her constituents to strictly follow the guidelines and rules issued by the ministry of health to curb the spread of the virus, which has threatened the world.
The challenges faced in Kenya, she noted, has been faced by other countries who are about to surmount it stating that there is need to step up sensitization awareness in rural areas on the dangers of failing to wear face masks and maintaining social distancing as advised the ministry of health officials.
“People should not form the habit of wearing face masks and observing social distance just because they fear being arrested by police officers. You are asked to wear masks at all times to protect yourselves not security officers,” Cheruiyot said.
The legislator also urged area residents to seek treatment in hospitals as usual saying that some people no longer visit hospitals when sick because they allegedly fear they might contract coronavirus disease.
During the occasion, the women representative donated 120 plastic tanks, 120 stands, 120 jericans of 50 litres, 480 hand sanitizers and 1500 face masks from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) for distribution to wananchi in Baringo Central Sub County.
On civil servants, the Member of Parliament asked Baringo residents to respect and work together with senior government officers deployed to the county for meaningful development to be attained in the region.
Cheruiyot took issue with a recent incident which took place in Kabarnet town, where some leaders organized wananchi to demonstrate demanding the removal of the county commissioner.
The leadership who broke the Covid-19 rules had mopped up residents to demand the immediate transfer of County Commissioner, Henry Wafula allegedly for engaging in politics, instead of discharging his duties like protecting the people against marauding cattle rustlers and bandits.
By Joshua Kibet
