Speaker Wetang’ula: Politicians, church feud not good for the country – Video

National Assembly Speaker Rt Hon Dr Moses Wetang’ula has said the simmering differences between the political class and the church is not good for the peace and prosperity of the country.

Speaking during a Christmas mass service, Wetang’ula said it was wrong for religious leaders and politicians to portray that there was a battle among the two organs.

He pointed out that there was no competition between the church and politicians, noting that both were serving Kenyans.

“There is no competition between secular leadership and the religious community. We are all serving the same people and we should work together in harmony,” said Wetang’ula.

The Speaker was speaking at St. Kizito Catholic church, Kabuchai constituency in Bungoma County.

He was accompanied by leaders among them Hon. Wafula Wakoli (Senator Bungoma),
Hon Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), Hon John Makali (Kanduyi), Hon John Waluke (Sirisia), PS Mr Juma Mukwana and Hon. Joseph Nyongesa, Majority Leader Bungoma County Assembly among others.

The Speaker noted that the church was critical in fostering peace and harmony in the country, a role he said politicians were also playing.

He noted that collaboration between the political class and the religious leaders should not be debatable.

At the same time, Wetang’ula expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents along the roads.

“I call drivers to exercise strict caution, adhere to traffic rules and care about passengers they were transporting either with private or public vehicles,” he advised.

The Speaker reiterated his call on politicians to be in the forefront in drumming up support for Social Health Authority (SHA).

He said politicians had the capacity to mobolise wananchi to register for the new health scheme because they meet them in many public forums.

He urged governors to use county resources to step up SHA registration to enable the majority of Kenyans to benefit from the new medical insurance.

“Murang’a governor has used county resources to register all homesteads on SHA…other governors should follow suit because health care is devolved,” he added.

While giving examples of individuals who have benefitted from the new scheme, Wetang’ula urged the public to shun critics whom he said were discouraging them from registering with the scheme.

He took issues with some MPs who have launched a spirited campaign against the scheme noting that it’s unethical to oppose the legislation they passed in Parliament.

“It is embarrassing to see some MPs using forums such as funerals to campaign against the new medical scheme. This is the law you enacted and you should not oppose it,” he added.

Said Wetang’ula: “Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Embu are among the counties leading in the number of people registered under the new scheme. We should emulate them.”

The Speaker urges farmers to start planning for planting for the next season noting that the country relied on the region for its food security.

“I ask farmers not to spend all the money on festive activities. Spare some cash for food production activities as soon as we get out of the festivals,” he added.

The MPs who attended the same church service raised the red flag over the number of deaths from road accidents during this Christmas season and asked the government to be tough of traffic law breakers

“In the last few days we have seen many people perish on the roads because of carelessness by drivers. Traffic police should be tough on any driver found to have violated traffic rules,” said Hon Wakoli, the Bungoma Senator.

The Senator said roads should not be death beds for people who are traveling to celebrate with their families.

Hon Kalasinga and Hon Makali asked passengers not to tolerate drivers who were threatening their lives through careless driving.

“Don’t sit in a vehicle and watch a careless driver mess you,” said Hon Kalasinga.

Hon Makali asked passengers not to board overloaded public service vehicles.

“Thirst for money make matatu operators overload their vehicles to make more cash. Passengers should not be part to this,” said Hon Makali.

Hon Waluke called for peaceful co-existance among Kenyans, noting that tribalism was the cause of divisions being experienced in the country.

He asked all the leaders to support President Dr William Ruto’s efforts to unite and develop Kenya.

Photos and video by Jesse Change.