[Marsabit central sub - county deputy commissioner Joseph Nyakwara addressing a peace meeting at Jaldesa location on Saturday.] (Photo/KNA.)
Marsabit County residents have been advised to co-exist peacefully, so as to realize accelerated development before and after elections.
Marsabit central sub - county deputy commissioner Joseph Nyakwara said harmony during this electioneering period is important.
Speaking during a peace meeting at Jaldesa location on Saturday, Nyakwara asked the electorate to shun acts of clan and tribal politics likely to casue violence.
The administrator expressed concern over continued clinging on to outdated customary practices like cattle rustling, female genital mutilation and early marriages which he said were detrimental to the well-being of pastoral communities.
He urged local pastoral communities to shun livestock raids terming it retrogressive.
“Retrogressive cultural practices have no room in today’s way of life and should be discarded if we are to transform ourselves,” said Nyakwara as quoted by KNA.
He lamented that cattle rustling had claimed innocent lives, besides retarding development in the area, which was endowed with enormous resources.
He assured that the government has put in place measures that would ensure that the ongoing general election campaigns were carried out peacefully and called on the youth to say no to any form of incitement.
He pointed out that school enrollment targets is yet to be achieved and advised parents to educate their children in order to prepare them for a bright future.
He ordered area chiefs and their assistants to enhance awareness campaigns on the need for locals to embrace education and enforce the law against parents who prove stubborn.