By Bernard Munyao
Worth Noting:
- The elders spoke during a ceremony held at Kahuro grounds to install Peter Mareri as new county chairman of the council after the retirement of Father Joachim Kitonga, who has served as county chairman of the council for 18 years.
- “Leaders should forget past elections and focus on saving their people from the hardships they are going through. The differences, animosity and insults being witnessed currently are of no benefit,” noted Kiago.
Members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders have called on elected leaders from Murang’a county to shun divisions and unite for the benefit of the community.
The elders have expressed concerns about some incidents where a section of elected leaders and their followers have resulted to use Social Media platforms to insult and exhibit political differences.
The elders led by their chairman Wachira Kiago said the differences if not checked may escalate and cause divisions among residents of Murang’a thus denying them developments.
Kiago observed that as elders, they are ready to give counsel where needed saying the leaders should forget about last elections and focus on delivering their promises to wananchi.
The elders spoke during a ceremony held at Kahuro grounds to install Peter Mareri as new county chairman of the council after the retirement of Father Joachim Kitonga, who has served as county chairman of the council for 18 years.
“Leaders should forget past elections and focus on saving their people from the hardships they are going through. The differences, animosity and insults being witnessed currently are of no benefit,” noted Kiago.
The sentiments of the elders come at a time when there is bitter exchange between followers of Murang’a county woman representative Betty Maina and those of Maragua MP Mary Waithera who are accusing Water cabinet secretary Alice Wahome for doing little to ensure Murang’a residents get water.
“We call for the respect of all leaders and let them work together since the divisions will cause us developments as they will be diverted to other areas,” added Kiago.
He continued “this region is having numerous challenges affecting our people like alcoholism, abuse of drugs and unemployment and these are issues we want the leaders to address instead of the differences.”
The chairman further said as a council of elders they will continue to propagate and support entrenchment of kikuyu culture and traditions among the young people from the region.
“We have a responsibility to ensure continuity of our culture as we educate the young generation about our traditions and how to avoid being introduced to some antisocial behaviours like gaysim and homosexuality,” noted Kiago.
His sentiments were echoed by the council’s Secretary General James Ng’ang’a who said the country needs unity saying the differences witnessed during past general elections should be a thing of the past.
“This is the time to serve Kenyans, let’s forget divisions that arose during last elections as candidates of various elective positions campaigned. The country needs peace and unity to prosper and tackle economic challenges bedeviling the nation,” observed Ng’ang’a.
The newly installed chairman, Mareri on his part called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to tackle the alcoholism menace affecting scores of young people.
Mareri noted increased alcoholism in the region poses danger to future generations saying as members of the council they will organize meetings in all sub counties and sensitize young people on effects of alcohol.
“In every sub county, as members of the council of leaders we will engage our children, especially those in schools and educate them on how to avoid being indulged in alcoholism and drugs. Already we have reached university and college leaders from Murang’a so as to plan and make the sensitization forums a success,” said Mareri.