Equity necessary to achieve cohesion, Siaya leader says

Kenya can only achieve effective national cohesion if resources of the country are distributed equitably, Siaya Deputy Governor Wilson Ouma Onyango has said.

The deputy governor noted that cohesion in the Kenyan society is difficult because of unfair distribution of resources to the various parts of this country, adding that there will only be a better ground to talk about cohesion in this country the moment the leadership ensures fair and equitable distribution of resources.

Onyango, who warned that the violent extremism and radicalisation witnessed amongst the youths in some parts of the country needs to be stopped, argued the vices stem from inequity that has left many youths hopeless.

He was speaking during the launch of a three-day National Youth Conference on violent extremism, anti-radicalisation and peaceful elections at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology where the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Mr Hassan Sheikh Mohammed echoes his sentiments.

Sheikh Mohammed stated that as a commission they are concerned about the issues of equity in the distribution of government resources, noting that they have already carried out ethnic audit to find out which tribes are represented in the government jobs for example in the universities and parastatals among others.

He said that after such an audit they usually give advice on how to achieve equity and ensure that all government resources and opportunities are shared amongst Kenyans because they come from the taxpayers.

The conference has been organised courtesy of the County Governance Watch through a partnership with NCIC and the Siaya County Government among other partners.