NAKURU, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has praised the role played by church organizations in the country in peace building and conflict resolution.
Kenya’s deputy President William Ruto
Mr. Ruto said the Government was doing everything possible to reunite Kenyans and ensure that they live together in harmony and thanked the churches for their tireless efforts in peace and reconciliation.
The Deputy President said the Jubilee administration was keen on bringing Kenyans together irrespective of their tribe, colour, creed, political affiliations or culture.
“I want to assure Kenyans that we as Government will work closely with the church and other partners so as to focus on creating cohesion and fostering peace and reduce friction or violence among Kenyans,” said Ruto.
Ruto made the remarks on Wednesday at the Kabarak University in Nakuru County during celebrations to mark 100 years of National Council of Churches of Kenya ( NCCK) in service.
He urged Kenyans regardless of tribe, colour and creed to unite and work together in building and fostering peace in the country.
Ruto reiterated the Governmentâs commitment to ensuring that peace and security were guaranteed to every Kenyan.
He however, noted that all Kenyans must be involved in supporting the Government efforts in maintaining peace in the country.
He particularly praised NCCK for taking a leading role in reconciliation and unity among communities affected by conflicts in Rift Valley and other parts of the country.
“I wish on behalf of the Government commend NCCK for reconciling and integrating communities affected by conflicts in Rift Valley among other parts of the country. We recognize these efforts,” said Mr. Ruto.
Mr. Ruto at the same time said the Government has finalized plans to resettle the remaining internally displaced persons and those who have been evicted from forests.
“We finalized yesterday plans to resettle the remaining IDPs before the end of next month,” said Mr. Ruto.
The Deputy President said the concerned ministries have instructions to ensure Internally Displaced Persons and Forest evictees on the remaining phase of the resettlement programme are resettled before the end of next month.
He said the Government was committed to ensuring that all the internally displaced persons and forest evictees are resettled so as to participate nation building like the rest of Kenyans.
On Tuesday, the Deputy President met at his Karen official residence Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Ms. Anne Waiguru, The Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Housing & Urban development, Mrs. Charity Ngilu.
Others were, the Principal Secretaries for Interior and Coordination Mr. Mutea Iringo and the National Treasury Mr. Kamau Thugge and the chair of the taskforce on resettlement of IDPs.
General Secretary of NCCK Canon Peter Karanja assured the Government of churches commitment to peace and stability among all Kenyan communities.
Mr. Karanja urged the Government to intensify the fight against negative ethnicity, saying tribalism, corruption impunity were the challenges facing the country.
