CATHOLIC BISHOPS TELL KIBAKI AND RAILA TO MAINTAIN UNITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.
Reports Leo Odera Omolo.
The Catholic Church in Kenya has come out bold enough and asked the grand coalition government partners to act in the challenges and myriads of problems facing the country.
The twenty four Bishops led by their chairman of the Kenya Espiscopal conference John Cardinal Njue called for an end to the culture of impunity if challenges facing the nation were to be addressed.
“None in high places has been prosecuted for crimes that have been under investigation,” Said Njue.
He said poor governance had been caused by corruption and impunity.
In a lengthy statement release after their day long meeting held at Dimese Sister’s Retreat
Centre, Karen, the Bishop called for the full implementation of the National accord signed by president Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga last year following peace negotiation brokered by former UN Chief Dr Koffi Annan.
“We should avoid having two center of power,” they said.
The Bishop challenged Kibaki and Raila to respond to the needs of all Kenyans. They said the current constitutions should be respected as we await the new one.
The Bishop expressed concern over the illegal exportation of maize. “If the allegations are true then we demand action,” they added.
On the contentious Kenya communications (Amendment) Act 2008, the Bishop called for sobriety.
“We appeal to the media for the responsible accountable and uphold professional ethics in the technique of the duties”
The Bishop called for dialogue between teachers and the government to and the ingoing skills.
At the same time cardinal John Njue has asked Kenyan’s intelligence net work of poor performance.
He wandered hoe the maize and oil scandals took place without them (intelligence) knowledge.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
HOW THE KIPSIGIS COMMUNITY REACTED OVER BETT’S APOINTMENT AS THE NEW ROAD MINISTERMAT ITS LONG TERM BENEFIT TO THE ODM.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kericho Town,
The appointment of the MP for Buret Franklin Bett as the new Kenyta’s Minister for Road was well received in Kericho and Litein Towns.
And so is the appointment of Mrs Beatrice Kones as an Assistant Minister for Home-Affairs. But the community seemed not to satisfied still and felt, it could have been allocated more full cabinet slots taking into account its voting strength and numeraty of Kipsigis in parliament..
Bett, a former State House Comptroller and long time close political associate of the ODM supreme Raila Odinga was all the same expected to clinch the cabinet position following his long duration as a member of the ODM. He was nominated by Mr. Odinga and had served in the ninth parliament as an MP
Many members of the community had a high hope that the former powerful PS for Internal Security and Provincial Administration Zakayo K. Cheruiyot, who is the MP for Kuresoi in the volatile Molo district would fill in the gap to succeed the late Kipkalya Kones.
Cheruiyot has of late emerged as the most respected community leader in the Southern Rift.but the appointing authority who is none, but President Kibaki had settled on Bett, perhaps ostensibly on the advise of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Cheruiyot, however, is well known as not being an apologist and does not entertain politics of sycophancy. He said to be a principled man who does not speak to please.
A number of the Kipsigis political personalities interviewed most welcome the appointment. They include the chairman of the UDM, Lt. General {rtd}John Koech and a prominent Kericho Politician Mr. William Kipkemoi Arap Kettienya, who felt the community deserves more portfolios in the coalition government in order to make look rather representative.
Gen Koech said the community was pleased with the appointment taking into account Hon Bett’s experience in both public and government affairs, and expressed the hope that the Minister would thrive to unite the community .
The appointment ignited enthusiasm and dances in both Bomet and Litein Towns ,, where bands of people were seen discussing it in low tones at the various centers. One elderly farmer in Litein said. It is like a thanks giving to the late Kones family in particular and Bomet constituents in general. “We are pleased and thanks the President Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga for having considered the hitherto forgotten Kipsigis people
The general feeling around the entire Kipsigis community is that the newly appointed Ministers would popularize the coalition government in the region and could easy tensions recently sparked by the planned eviction of thousands of Kalenjin families in the contentious Mau Forest Complex..
Ends
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Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:44:29 -0800 [10:44:29 AM CST]
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: BISHOPS TELL KIBAKI AND RAILA “MAINTAIN UNITY” ; KIPSIGIS COMMUNITY REACTS TO BETT’S APOINTMENT ;