Bishop King’oo decries high poverty levels, blames it on graft

Corruption has made us where we are instead of journeying towards the first economy, Catholic Diocese of Machakos Bishop Norman King'oo has said.

King'oo said if Kenyans and their leaders loved God, there could be no corruption in the country.

“As our state of poverty continues especially among youths, we will never have peace. As poverty continues, we can keep constructing high walls, electric fences around our homes, but we will never be peaceful,” he said.

“We will be prisoners in our wealth if our youths continue being jobless and the elderly have nobody to support them. But, if we are close to God and all these ills are taken care of, we will have plenty in our borders.”

He spoke during an annual pilgrim mass at Komarock Shrines in Matungulu, Machakos on Saturday.

The event attracted Catholic faithful from Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Nairobi and neighbouring counties. It was also attended by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos deputy governor Francis Mwangangi, Senator Agnes Kavindu, Woman representative Joyce Kamene and MCAs, especially from Machakos County Assembly.

King’oo, however, told the faithful not to lose hope in life since with God, they will overcome what is weighing down their shoulders.

Speaking on the effects of climate change which have resulted in drought, King’oo said Kenyans were responsible for their problems.

“We are responsible for all these effects of climate change. We lack rain due to our activities such as cutting down trees. We are where we are because we interfered with the environment,” King’oo said.

King’oo said from the beginning, God arranged everything well including the ecosystem.

He said for instance, God was aware that the Ukambani region was dry and hence provided the residents with natural resources such as rivers.

“He brought us rains from parts that have rained. Historically, Nairobi city was established because there was plenty of water. After that what did we do? We turned that river into poison through pollution,” King'oo said.

“If we are close to God, he brings us real peace whether you own what, you can’t buy an extra day of your life. So, let’s pray and also pray for our country so that God rules us, tells us the way and gives us love to our neighbours.” 

Kalonzo called for both electoral and economic justice stating that the level of poverty in the country was alarming. He said lots of families were sleeping hungry.

He said River Athi must be cleaned stating that Thwake dam which is currently under construction will depend on the same water when completed.

“Those polluting the rivers must pay. When I was the Minister for Environment, I tried cleaning the river. The late John Michuki cleaned it. We need a master plan and within the shortest period to clean River Athi or else diseases will keep killing our people,” Kalonzo said.

He said though there were challenges caused by climate change globally, citizens are also contributors including corruption.

The Wiper leader called on Machakos leaders to protect the boundaries of Mavoko and Matungulu subcounties stating that part of the subcounties might be hived into Nairobi.

“Governor Wavinya Ndeti, deputy governor Francis Mwangangi, woman representative Joyce Kamene, don’t be cowed. We are saying, first Kenya’s capital city was Machakos, it went to Nairobi,” Kalonzo said.