By Felix Njenga
Worth Noting:
- The elders said that the principal objectives of the association is to encourage Peace, cohesion and integration of the communities of Kenya.
- ” Mapatano will pursue the path of integrity in leadership at all levels of society including the citizenry and it also intends to become the conscience of their communities and will not compromise on observation of law and order of all people,” the elders said.
- They added that the association will work with both county and national government, faith based organisation and institutions and other establishments or individuals in Kenya.
- They said that the association will be available to Kenyans as arbiter at all levels with its assembly acting on behalf of the elders.
Council of elders drawn from different communities in the country has formed ‘Mapatano Welfare Association’Â outfit that will be anchored in law with the aim of fostering cohesion, unity and peace of all communities.
The elders met in Ruaka, Kiambaa sub-county in Kiambu county at the Kikuyu Council of Elders headquarters for deliberations and way forward and resolved that Mapatano be adopted as the name of the association of elders of the communities of Kenya.
“Formal operational structures be set up by the management committee. Membership is open to all elders of all communities of Kenya,” James Nene organizing secretary Kikuyu council of elders read the elders resolution in a statement.
The elders said that the principal objectives of the association is to encourage Peace, cohesion and integration of the communities of Kenya.
” Mapatano will pursue the path of integrity in leadership at all levels of society including the citizenry and it also intends to become the conscience of their communities and will not compromise on observation of law and order of all people,” the elders said.
They added that the association will work with both county and national government, faith based organisation and institutions and other establishments or individuals in Kenya.
They said that the association will be available to Kenyans as arbiter at all levels with its assembly acting on behalf of the elders.
They said that they will not be politically aligned to any formation or faction in the country.
James Matundura chairman Abagusii council of elders who was installed as the association chairman by the elders said that the unity of the elders councils is the beginning of peace and unity among communities in the country and the elders with start working immediately to foster friendship of communities.
“Unity of our communities will go a long way in uniting Kenyans and will help resolve conflicts and will forge a way for the communities speaking in one voice in matters peace of the country,” he said.
Wachira Kiago, the Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman said that the unity pact of council of elders of communities is historical since the elders are key pillars of their communities and will lead the way of unity, peace and integration of Kenyan communities.
“As elders we value our children well being and future and it is a must we ensure that the country has peace and unity,” he said.
He said that the association will not dwelling politics but will be giving direction of the country as the elders have a say whenever politicians are engaged in tribal, divisive, hatred politics.
” When elders come together we will be speaking with one voice as a country and not tribes and will be giving direction and showing the right way a country must live especially when tribal, divisive, hatred or insult politics are played by politicians,” he said.
He added that the elders have resolved to start visiting each other in their areas and holding meetings with the communities and will be engaging the young generation in the country.
Raphael Mwongola chairman Chonyi council of elders of the Mijikenda community said that the unity of elders and communities will pave way for peace and harmony especially in areas where many tribes are living together and do not see eye to eye.
” We need to put away politics which has always been the root cause of communities disagreeing and we need to disassociate the elders association from supporting any political formation of faction so that we bring Kenyans together. The elders will bring sanity in the Kenyan communities as where elders meet and deliberate nothing goes wrong,” he said.
He said that the work of the elders association should no longer be postpone and commence immediately so that the idea vision and mission may be achieved faster.
The elders however supported the older persons bill which is in the national Parliament for deliberations and persons as the elderly persons polices will be enshrined in law and will be effectively implemented once the bill becomes law.
” The elderly persons are going through a myriad of issues and we have come up with a bill that will ensure that their needs are catered for and implemented because they will be enshrined in law,” the elders said.
