Religious leaders call for ceasefire between President and his deputy

A section of religious leaders in Embu under the auspices of National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) have called for a cease-fire between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto over their war of words.

The clerics said they were concerned with the differences between the two leaders that have of late become more pronounced as they engage each other in public, saying that if not checked the trend could tear the country right in the middle.

“We are deeply concerned with the rift between the president and his deputy with conflicts emerging in the counties and the country at large following their severed relationship and fallout,” said County NCCK Forum Chair Rt. Rev. Njeru Nyaga.

Speaking at a press briefing in Embu Town on Tuesday, Rev. Njeru called on the two principals to tone down on their public spat of accusations and counter accusations to build a tolerant society.

“We appeal to the two to sort out their differences amicably and if they cannot on their own do so, call for elders to broker and facilitate peace talks.

He said the two should set a good example for Kenyans to emulate by leading and practicing accommodative leadership based on reconciliation and peace building.

At the same time, the leaders called on aspirants vying for various elective seats to remain tolerant of one another notwithstanding their political stands to ensure there is peace before, during and after the August polls.

“We continue encouraging our people to remain peaceful, tolerant and accommodative to all without being partisan and encourage voting for who qualify without discriminating them on the bases of their gender,” the cleric said.

He said peace is the best gift we can award ourselves as a country and especially our vulnerable populations that are most affected during election-related violence.

Speaking while addressing the press in Embu on Tuesday, Rev. Mercy Ndungu, a member of NCCK Embu chapter, said that the continued rise in the standards of living has led to hikes in the prices of basic commodities which is causing a lot of suffering among people.

Ndungu called on the government to address the problem so that it can save many people who are suffering as a result of the high cost of living.

The clergy urged the government to subsidize the cost of fertilizer especially now that the rains have started so that farmers can be able to access fertilizer at affordable prices to use them during planting time.

She also advised farmers in Embu to make maximum use of the rains that have started pouring so that they can plant to ensure that they play a role in ensuring food security in Embu.

National Council of Churches of Kenya secretary Embu chapter Stephen Njogu, called on stakeholders in various sectors in Kenya to ensure that they give equal opportunities to both boys and girls for an empowered and sustainable society.

Njogu urged stakeholders in different sectors to ensure inclusiveness and equality in gender programming as well as whether boys are being accorded the same opportunities as those of girls, school completion and performance.