By Betty Luke
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Isiolo branch officials have castigated the Isiolo County government over favoritism in offering employment opportunities and distribution of resources.
The clergy said tribalism and corruption were still common in the cosmopolitan county blaming them on the growing discord among communities that threatens peace, development and business in the region.
Speaking at the Isiolo town Methodist Church, newly elected NCCK Isiolo branch Chair Rev Nathan Maingi asked the Governor Mohamed Kuti administration to offer equal opportunities to all residents regardless of their tribe and religious affiliations.
Offering employment to youths, they said, will help deal with radicalization and indulgence in drug and alcohol abuse which is common among young people.
The religious leaders asked the county and national government to intervene and offer humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families that continue to live in abject poverty, end perennial border disputes and land conflicts and raise the education levels in the region.
Other issues the clerics want quickly solved include gender inequalities, proliferation of illegal firearms that threaten the region’s peace and insecurity at the border points prompted by competition over resources and which has claimed more than 10 lives in the recent past.
They asked residents to shun leaders propagating hatred and continue to coexist with each other saying peace was a crucial ingredient to development.
“We are asking our people to maintain peace and live harmoniously before, during and after the 2022 elections,” Rev Maingi said.
Politicians have been warned against spreading hatred among communities but be at the frontline in peace-building efforts.
“We will keep telling them not to make inflammatory statements and if they fail to change, we will not hesitate to tell our people to vote them out next year,” he noted.
Cleric Gideon Muguna of MCK church called for joint efforts from all stakeholders towards the realization of peace and political stability.
Seargent Major Reuben Oyani, popularly known as Mwalimu Reuben who represented persons living with disabilities, emphasized on the need for peace and unity among communities, especially towards the electioneering period.
“Some of our roads are impassable while those leading to the leaders’ homes are well maintained which makes some groups feel discriminated against,” Mr Oyani said while urging the county to ensure fair distribution of resources to all groups including PWDs.
