Uhuru urges Kenyans to pray for unity in new year

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to continue praying for peace and national unity as the country gears up to usher in a new year.

Mr Kenyatta who joined hundreds of faithful for Sunday mass at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Nyali, Mombasa asked Kenyans to learn to live together and embrace peace for the sake of developing the country.

LIVE TOGETHER

“I urge Christians to continue praying for peace and national unity, which are the foundation for achieving the country’s development goals,” he said.

The President said unity was key to ensuring that the country improves its economy and living standards of Kenyans.

“We are after all one family called the Kenyan people and the Kenyan nation. We must learn to live, work together and respect one another for the purposes of making Kenya a great nation,” the President said

Mr Kenyatta was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and the country's First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Hundreds of faithful were waiting for the Head of State at Holy Ghost Cathedral Archdiocese of Mombasa where he traditionally attends mass whenever he visits Mombasa.

At the same time, religious leaders at the Coast have called on Kenyans to maintain peace as the country gears up to usher in 2019.

Led by Fr John Correa of Holy Ghost Cathedral Archdiocese of Mombasa, the religious leaders called on Kenyans to spread the message of love and forgiveness for peaceful coexistence.

“As we prepare to cross into the new year, we encourage Kenyans to maintain peace and love to foster unity and harmony among ourselves,” he said.

Fr Correa said unity will reduce cases of extrajudicial killings that has been experienced across the country especially in Mombasa.

CRIMINAL ACTS

“Youth should shun criminal acts so that we do not have many cases of deaths that have been occurring around the country especially here in Mombasa. The youth should focus on improving their lives and preaching peace,” he said.

Fr Correa at the same time called on the youth across the country to shun criminal acts and embrace good behaviour to reduce crime rate in the country.

Meanwhile two Coast legislators want the constitutional amendment done in line with the spirit of 'majimbo'; an initial proposal by former Coast political kingpin Ronald Ngala. Mr Ngala succumbed to injuries 46 years ago after a road accident.

Kaloleni MP Paul Katana and his Kilifi North counterpart Owen Baya said the late Ngala, who is the first opposition leader in Kenya introduced majimbo to enable the people govern themselves with their resources.

The leaders spoke during a memorial service attended by family members led by Ngala's wife Esther, 88.

“History must be put in the right place devolution must be strengthened, we should not have a referendum for the purposes of creating positions for the people,’’ said Mr Baya.

Mr Katana said it was unfortunate that there was an ongoing debate on referendum aimed at creating positions for individuals.