NCCK Fostering Peace, Security and Economic Wellbeing in North Rift
The National Council of Churches of Kenya(NCCK) is partnering with the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) to find lasting solutions to banditry, conflicts and poverty for better lives of the citizens.
While addressing the NOREB peace summit that brought together the eight North Rift counties, the NCCK General Secretary Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui said the umbrella body of churches is committed to working with all stakeholders to create resilient and sustainable societies.
“We would like to promote economic empowerment of the citizens especially the young people, by helping them to have dignified livelihoods as a foundation of peace,” Rev Canon Chris emphasized.
He urged the governors of North Rift Counties to prioritize enhancement of the livestock value chain, noting that it is the mainstay of most people in the region. “We lost 3 million livestock in the country during the last drought, and you can calculate the value. Can NOREB come up with Livestock Marshall plan which ensures that actors benefit, from the residents to the final consumers”, the GS explained.
To ensure sustainable peace and security, the GS urged the national and county government to incorporate religious leaders in the County Policing Authority as provided for in section 41 of the National Police Service Act.
Among the resolutions agreed upon in the Summit, the NOREB counties committed to develop a Marshall Plan to change the Economic Matrix for the region, to lobby for disbursement of the Equalization Fund to address marginalization in the region, and to spearhead involvement of youth and women in peace-building. In addition, each county will complete development, enactment and operationalization of public participation laws.
Present in the Peace Summit were Governors George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), and Deputy Governors Yulita Cheruiyot (Nandi), Robert Komolle (West Pokot), Gabriel Lenengwesi (Samburu), and Philomenah Kapkory (Trans Nzoia).
