Deputy President William Ruto has urged religious leaders to partner with the government and help unite Kenyans.
Speaking at St Peter’s Seminary School in Eldoret town during the Silver Jubilee celebrations for Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir, Ruto said that the government is ready to work with religious leaders to tackle key issues facing the country.
The Deputy President said that religious leaders have a role to play on national matters, adding that the government will accommodate their views.
“We want to call upon religious leaders from all religions to partner with the Jubilee government and help us develop the country together,” he said.
Ruto said that the church can help unite Kenyans, adding that tribalism and wreckless talk among some politicians threatens the unity of the country.
He said that some political leaders are keen to cause divisions among Kenyans through their tribal utterances, but warned that the government will not allow such selfish individuals to polarize the country on tribal lines.
He said the government, through its various agencies, has taken up several measures to curb hate utterances mostly among politicians.
Ruto appealed to political leaders to tone down and focus on providing services to Kenyans, further noting that some politicians are busy preaching hatred when the people that elected them are suffering.
Speaking at the event, Bishop Korir said that unity among Kenyans will be an opening for development.
The Bishop urged politicians to be on the frontline in preaching unity, adding that the church will support their campaigns.
He further called for peace across the country, and urged the government to intensify patrols with the aim of smoking out criminals.