Balala warns against religious animosity

Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has called for tolerance among different faiths.

Mr Balala said religious animosity could destroy Kenya, warning that the matter was more serious in Coast, which has experienced increased insecurity blamed on youth radicalisation.

Addressing the public when he opened an MTN Business office on Nyerere Avenue in Mombasa on Monday, he urged Muslims, Christians and other faiths to be careful on religious matters.

“Let us all promote and embrace tolerance towards one another,” he said. “Tolerance, security, safety and cohesion is what we need.”

He urged Kenyans to refuse to be divided along religious, tribal or ethnic lines as that would be a recipe for violence.

“Let us remain united as a country because this is critical for the development of our nation.”

MELTING POT

Mombasa is the gateway to East and Central Africa and a cultural melting pot whose stability was important for the region, according to the Cabinet Secretary.

He warned residents against allowing criminals to live among them unreported because they would also suffer when the same criminals strike.

“If security is not handled well, it could chase away investors from Mombasa and from Kenya. We in Mombasa will suffer more because we depend on investors, particularly in the tourism sector,” he said.

Mr Balala said the government was committed to protecting citizens.