Days after President William Ruto’s speech during the 61st Jamuhuri Day celebrations was met by a hostile audience in Nyandarua and Migori counties, a section of clerics condemned the incidents and called for civilization, and modesty among Kenyans.
The clerics noted with concern that the growing political wrangles and divisions in the country are not only retrogressive but will also derail development activities.
Led by the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) secretary general Bishop David Thagana, the clerics urged Kenyans to focus on fostering unity and development.
In one of the incidents, residents of Nyandarua County caused a commotion as President William Ruto’s speech was about to be read.
The event at Engineer Stadium saw County Commissioner Mohamed Barre shouted down as he took to the stage to read Ruto’s Jamuhuri speech.
Elsewhere, similar celebrations held at Rongo Primary School in Migori County were marred by chaos and widespread disruptions when two local political factions clashed, turning the event into a battleground of unrest for the entire day.
Efforts by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko and area MP Paul Abuor to restore order proved futile as the situation continued to deteriorate.
Ruto’s speech which was being read by the County Commissioner was repeatedly interrupted by crowd noise, forcing the Commissioner to unsuccessfully plead for calm.
But speaking in Siaya County during the ordination of Bishop Paul Ogutu, Thagana called on Kenyans to allow democracy to be upheld and persons with divergent views to have their say.
“The way people booed county commissioners during the Jamuhuri day celebrations doesn’t reflect a civilized and democratic society. We need to recognize those in authority and the current government is in place democratically and it paints a very bad image when we cannot even listen to a simple message during an Independence Day,” said Thagana.
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The bishop pointed out that the government of the day was democratically elected and that those opposed to the current regime should constructively play their opposition role without dividing Kenyans.
He called for patience and tolerance and shunned divisive politics saying that divisions along political lines will only worsen the situation.
Thagana at the same time urged Kenyans to allow elected leaders to deliver projects uninterrupted for posterity.
On his part, Ogutu called on the government to consider putting up better road networks in the area saying that current roads are not only impassable but have also turned into deathtraps due to frequent accidents that occur as drivers try to escape potholes.
“We request the government to put up better roads here to reduce accidents and facilitate social-economic developments,” stated Ogutu
By Kamau Njoroge.
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