Wetangula praises churches’ peace-building initiatives
By Anthony.Mwangi, May 9, 2023The government will partner with the church to foster peace in areas affected by conflict.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula asked leaders in affected areas to work with the churches in their regions to help promote peace-building initiatives.
Speaking during a thanksgiving prayer celebrations for Pauline Lenguris, the Samburu County Women Rep, in Samburu West, Wetangula said educating the children of the region would help foster peace and development.
“I want to sincerely praise our churches, especially the Catholic Church, for the role they have played on matters touching on communities,” said the Speaker.
Wetangula said the Church has been more influential than the government in promoting peace and reconciliation between communities and enhancing people’s well-being in counties affected by conflict such as Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo, Baringo, West Pokot and Laikipia.
The Speaker said the government was working towards achieving peace in the region.
“The government has begun dealing with the bandits by sending special troops to ensure that Samburu residents live in peace like other Kenyans,” he said.
He said it was Kenya Kwanza’s key agenda to eliminate banditry in the region, as peace is vital for meaningful development.
School dropouts
The Speaker urged Lenguris to prioritise tackling the issue of child pregnancy and high school dropout rate in the county.
Lenguris expressed optimism that the government would prioritise restoring peace and security in the area.
“We plead with you to use your position and lobby for adequate security to be deployed in this area to restore lasting peace,” the MP told the Speaker.
She added: “We are humbly asking you to talk to our President to have these bandits dealt with accordingly since they have made the life of our women and children unbearable for a long time.”
Samburu North MP Eli Letipila said the government should grant the police the authority to take decisive action against the bandits who have significantly impeded the region’s economy by instilling fear among potential investors.
Letipila said the area had experienced numerous banditry-related deaths in the past six months.