• Wetang'ula emphasised that peace is essential for the children of Samburu to access education.
• Wetang'ula said President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government has proper plans for the area’s development.
Image: COURTESY
The government plans to partner with churches to foster peace in areas affected by conflict and to tackle community welfare matters, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has said.
The National Assembly Speaker said that it is only through such collaborations that regions that have trouble with civil wars can realise lasting peace.
Wetang'ula spoke during a thanksgiving service and celebration for Samburu Woman Representative Pauline Lenguris at Lodokejek Catholic Mission in Samburu West constituency on Saturday.
He urged local leaders to collaborate with churches to maintain peace.
Wetang'ula emphasised that peace is essential for the children of Samburu to access education.
“I want to sincerely praise and hail our churches across the country, especially the Catholic Church, for playing a bigger role than even the government on pressing issues that touch on the community,” he said.
The Speaker said the church has been more influential than the government in promoting peace, fostering reconciliation between communities and enhancing people’s well-being in counties affected by conflict.
They include Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo, Baringo, West Pokot and Laikipia.
Wetang'ula said President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government has proper plans for the area’s development.
“We transversed here in Samburu with him [President] looking for votes in the run up to last year's general elections and we had several rallies in Wamba, Kisima and many other areas where we talked to you and you listened to us, we now promise not to let you down,” he said.
The Speaker said the President had tasked him with reassuring Samburu residents that the government is diligently working towards achieving peace in the region.
“The President has said that his government has begun dealing with the bandits who are killing residents by sending special troops under Interior CS Kindiki Kithure to ensure that Samburu residents live in peace like other Kenyans,” he said.
The Speaker praised the Samburu leaders for their unwavering support for their constituents.
He urged Lenguris to prioritise tackling the issues of teen pregnancy and school dropouts that are prevalent in the area.
The Speaker expressed his willingness to facilitate bipartisan negotiations to promote peace in the country through dialogue.
He pledged to offer the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza teams ample time and the necessary parliamentary resources to engage in constructive talks and achieve a peaceful resolution.
Lenguris implored Speaker Wetang'ula to assist in reinstating security for the residents, citing numerous lives lost due to persistent insecurity in the region.
She expressed the community's optimism that the Kenya Kwanza government would prioritise restoring peace and security in the area, and she called upon the Speaker to lend his support towards achieving this goal.
“We are humbly asking you to talk to our President to have these bandits dealt with accordingly since our women and children are living in fear,” she said.
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.
Lawmakers present at the event include Steve Lelegwe (Samburu Senator), Letipila Jackson Lekumotare (Samburu East), Martin Wanyonyi (Webuye East) and Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma Woman Rep).