DP Kindiki Urges Kenyans to Embrace Culture as a Tool for Peace and National Development
Also attending the event were Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali, Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo Riwe, Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton, and a number of Members of the County Assembly.
t was rich in representation of the groups' traditional attires, languages, dances, rituals, and cuisines, testifying to Marsabit's position as one of Kenya's cultural melting pots. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has appealed to Kenyans to use their rich cultural heritage as a foundation for strengthening unity, fostering peace, and accelerating development across the country.
Speaking on Saturday during the closing ceremony of the 14th Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival in Loiyangalani, Laisamis Constituency, Prof. Kindiki said that Kenya’s diverse ethnic backgrounds should be a source of pride and cohesion rather than conflict.
“Our different cultures should unite us, not divide us. God created us with different identities so that we may coexist peacefully as one nation,” the Deputy President said. He called on elders from all communities to take the lead in promoting harmony, cultural integration and peaceful coexistence as the government continued to roll out development programmes countrywide.
Prof. Kindiki commended the leadership of the Marsabit County Government for successfully organizing this year’s festival, whose theme — Celebrating Our Diversity, Strengthening Our Unity — highlighted the region’s longstanding commitment to peaceful living, cultural preservation, and resilience.
The annual event brought together the 14 different communities that make up the mosaic of Marsabit County: the Rendille, Gabra, Borana, Samburu, Turkana, El Molo, Burji, Sakuye, Garri, Somali, Dassanech, Konso, Waata, and Arab communities. It was rich in representation of the groups’ traditional attires, languages, dances, rituals, and cuisines, testifying to Marsabit’s position as one of Kenya’s cultural melting pots.
However, the Deputy President did not shy away from addressing the persistent insecurity challenges facing the region. He condemned in strong terms a recent incident of livestock theft in Laisamis by bandits, who made away with goats, as unacceptable in modern times.
“This problem must come to an end. It is unacceptable that communities continue to face insecurity and livestock raids in broad daylight,” he said firmly. Prof. Kindiki directed security personnel comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Police Reservists and other specialized units to pursue and apprehend the culprits without delay.
On development issues, the Deputy President said that the Kenya Kwanza administration was committed to implementing flagship projects in Marsabit County. He cited some of these initiatives as including upgrading the roads, expanding electricity, developing affordable housing, fish market infrastructures, and new hostels as part of the wider government agenda to better the lives of the people.
Prof. Kindiki further announced that the national government allocated Ksh1 billion toward the last-mile power connections, with an additional 6,100 households targeted in the county. Out of this amount, Laisamis Constituency would get Ksh142 million to connect 508 new homes. Other ongoing key energy projects include the expansion of Mount Kulal Power Station and continued operation of the 310MW Lake Turkana Wind Power Project into the national grid. Also attending the event were Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali, Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo Riwe, Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton, and a number of Members of the County Assembly.
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