Work with us, DP Ruto urges Ukambani clergy

Deputy President William Ruto has urged religious leaders to work with the government in uniting Kenyans.

The DP said a more united country will usher in more development and consequently boost the economy.

He reiterated that the push for integration began in 2013 with President Uhuru Kenyatta and should continue even in future.

Archaic Politics

According to him, the perception that Lower Eastern and other regions in Kenya were neglected by Government was due to archaic politics that fragmented the country into tribal cocoons.

“There is need for the Kamba community to work together with the Government.

“We ask for your support as church leaders to further integrate Kenyans,” Mr Ruto said during a meeting with the African Inland Church (AIC) leaders from Ukambani on Thursday.

On his part, AIC Kenya Presiding Bishop Silas Yego echoed the DP’s sentiments saying the church would take the lead in uniting Kenyans.

He also noted that the country is exhausted with politics that promotes tribalism instead of fighting poverty.

“We all have the responsibility to build Kenya. In partnership with the government, we as church leaders will work together. However, we will not support leaders who preach divisions in the society,” Mr Yego said.

Land Grabbing

The church leaders further urged the government to intervene in cases of land grabbing, which have reportedly increased in the Lower Eastern region.

“I urge the government to help us in getting title deeds for church organisations; otherwise we may end up losing our land parcels to conmen,” said John Kitala, the national secretary of AIC.

He added that institutions, particularly primary and secondary schools, should be given a free hand to operate and partner with religious organisations.

500 Leaders

“There have been murmurs about churches sponsoring schools in Lower Eastern. The partnership is usually aimed at boosting the education of our children; we therefore ask Kenyans to support such initiatives,” said Mr Kitala.

The meeting was attended by more than 500 AIC leaders, drawn mainly from Makueni and Machakos counties.