Aphia Plus Kamili CEO Isaiah Nakoru has challenged Kiambu County residents to capitalise on the many opportunities the county offers to reduce poverty levels.
The NGO’s chief officer who was addressing a County Consultative Forum on National Cohesion and National Values at Kiambu Institute of Professional studies on Tuesday said the county is among those with high poverty index despite being peaceful and having ample trade and agricultural opportunities.
“According to the 2009 census statistics, the county’s poverty index is at 57.7 percent which is alarming. Our county has a favourable climate for agriculture. We enjoy calm that is not the case in other parts of the country yet we have failed to translate that into wealth,” he stated.
He said Kiambu is a cosmopolitan county hosting tribes from all over the country hence everybody must adhere to the cohesion requirements and promote national values stipulated in the constitution.
“This county will only be strong if everyone within it has access to opportunities, resources and has the motivation to participate in society affairs and on an equal basis with others,” he added.
Nakoru said each Kenyan has a right to settle anywhere in the country and establish businesses without being discriminated upon the basis of tribe, gender or place of origin as indicated in the constitution.
He lashed at the public for not being patriotic enough by perpetuating the culture of corruption which he blamed for the many challenges bedevilling the country.