“You are an integral part of the National Council of Churches of Kenya and we are proud of you. Make the flag of NCCK to fly higher in the camp. I am very confident that you can do it because you have done it before.”
These were the words of NCCK General Secretary Reverend Canon Peter Karanja, during a meeting with staff of the Council working in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Addressing them in Kakuma town, Canon Karanja praised the staff saying their work had enhanced the reputation of the Council in Kakuma.
He said that the level of stewardship displayed by the staff was impressive. “Overall, there has been improvement on stewardship of resources. I am impressed by the level of stewardship that I see today,” said Canon Karanja, who was accompanied by Raphael Nyabala (Camp Manager) Grace Muthungu (Senior Programmes Officer in charge of Capacity Building for Membership) Gilbert Wanjohi (Internal Auditor) among others.
Canon Karanja urged the over 30 to invest wisely and prepare for their own retirement aimed at ensuring that their lives are not disrupted in case of any eventuality. He called on them to make informed choices in life especially where their families are concerned.
Canon Karanja added: “The journey of life is quite complex because you do not chose but you just get into it. At times you have no control until when you die. In normal life those who appreciate this reality solve so many problems. Invest in your children, take care of them, worry about their company because the evidence that you live sensibly is the kind of children that you have.”
Nyabala who spoke on behalf of the staff, said that the visit by the G.S had motivated them. “We are quite honoured to be visited by the General Secretary. We thank God for making it possible. This is quite motivating to all of us,” said Nyabala. His sentiments were echoed by Rhoda Payo who pointed out that the staff were quite excited to see Canon Karanja.
On her part, Muthungu urged the staff not to compromise on their family values even as they work far away from their families.
The staff later hosted Canon Karanja to an evening reception, where he was joined by heads of other implementing agencies of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Earlier in the day, the General Secretary visited Kakuma Refugee Camp, during which he was appraised of the work of the Council in the camp, as an implementing agency of UNHCR. He also helped to distribute to needy refugees wheelchairs, crutches, utensils among others.
Canon Karanja spent long hours in the camp chatting with the refugees among them young Dechai from Burundi who displayed a lot of affection for him.
