Tension rising in Rift, warn clerics
Members of the Likia and Beyond Peace and Conflict Resolution Council led by their chairman Abraham Gitu (second from left). Two clerics from the Rift Valley have warned of rising tribal tension in the region. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Likia in Njoro, Nakuru County, has borne the brunt of violent conflict between the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin since the advent of multiparty politics in 1991.
- Speaking to journalists at the parish on Wednesday, he said the President and his deputy must listen to concerns being raised by leaders from the Rift Valley instead of treating them casually.
Two clerics from the Rift Valley have warned of rising tribal tension in the region.
Fr Ambrose Kimutai, a Catholic priest in Bomet County, and Bishop Abraham Githu of the Apostolic Church in Nakuru County, said perception of unfair treatment of civil servants from one community was fuelling suspicion and hurting “fragile peace” in the Rift Valley.
Bishop Githu, who is the chairman of the Likia and Beyond Peace and Conflict and Reconciliation Council, told the Daily Nation on phone that tension was rising in the region. He blamed some politicians for “not taming their tongues”.
The cleric said Jubilee is a coalition of two communities that have been in conflict for many years and the peace the region enjoys “should not be taken for granted”.
Likia in Njoro, Nakuru County, has borne the brunt of violent conflict between the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin since the advent of multiparty politics in 1991.
EQUAL PARTNERS
Fr Kimutai said President Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, must quickly address squabbles in the Jubilee Coalition before the situation deteriorates.
“Peace in the Rift Valley depends on the harmony in the Jubilee Coalition. Any perception of unequal sharing of resources will hurt the peace we at the grassroots have been nurturing,” said Fr Kimutai, who is the Segemik Parish Priest.
Speaking to journalists at the parish on Wednesday, he said the President and his deputy must listen to concerns being raised by leaders from the Rift Valley instead of treating them casually.
He cautioned them against seeking to silence or intimidate the leaders when they say what they think is wrong with the Jubilee Administration.
Fr Kimutai said the Jubilee partners should respect an agreement that they signed as they formed the coalition before the last General Election.
“If the agreement was for the duo to share the government on 50-50 basis, then what we are witnessing now is a clear betrayal of the trust URP and TNA supporters yearned for.”
President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto have been criticised by some Rift Valley politicians over State appointments.
Their most vocal critic, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter (URP), was recently told off by the Deputy President.
WHAT’S ALLEGED
TNA ‘unfair’ to its partner
- Betrayal: Fr Ambrose Kimutai said TNA was taking the lion’s share of top State positions as Deputy President William Ruto remained silent.
- Breach of trust: He said President Kenyatta was breaking the covenant between him and Mr Ruto by giving more jobs to people from central Kenya than to those from the Rift Valley.
