Politicians, stop fighting with Church - Wetang'ula

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has called for unity between the political class and religious leaders, noting that the growing divisions was not good for the country.

Wetang'ula warned that divisions between the two entities are harmful to the country's peace and prosperity.

According to the speaker, there is no competition between the Church and politicians as both are serving Kenyans in their different roles.

Speaking during a Christmas mass service at St. Kizito Catholic Church in Kabuchai constituency, Bungoma county, the speaker said it was wrong for the clergy and politicians to portray that there was a battle between the two organs.

"There is no competition between secular leadership and the religious community. We are all serving the same people and we should work together in harmony," Wetang'ula said.

The speaker noted that the Church was critical in fostering peace and harmony in the country, a role he said politicians were also playing.

He noted that collaboration between the political class and the religious leaders should not be debatable.

At the same time, Wetang'ula expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents on the roads.

"I call drivers to exercise strict caution, adhere to traffic rules and care about passengers they were transporting either with private or public vehicles," he advised.

The speaker was accompanied by leaders among them Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli and MPs Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai), John Makali (Kanduyi), John Waluke (Sirisia), PS Juma Mukwana and Joseph Nyongesa, majority leader, Bungoma County Assembly among others.

The speaker at the same time reiterated his call on politicians to be in the forefront in drumming up support for Social Health Authority (SHA).

He said politicians have the capacity to mobolise wananchi to register for the new health scheme because they meet them in many public forums.

Wetangu''la urged governors to use county resources to step up SHA registration to enable the majority of Kenyans benefit from the new medical insurance.

"Murang'a governor has used county resources to register all homesteads on SHA...other governors should follow suit because health care is devolved," the speaker said.

While giving examples of individuals who have benefitted from the new scheme, Wetang'ula urged the public to shun critics who he said were discouraging them from registering with the scheme.

He took issue with some MPs who have launched a spirited campaign against the scheme, noting that it's unethical to oppose the legislation they passed in Parliament.

"It is embarrassing to see some MPs using forums such as funerals to campaign against the new medical scheme. This is the law you enacted and you should not oppose it," he added.

"Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Embu are among the counties leading in the number of people registered under the new scheme. We should emulate them."

The speaker also urged farmers to start planning early for next season's planting, noting that the country relies on the region for its food security.

"I ask farmers not to spend all the money on festive activities. Spare some cash for food production activities as soon as we get out of the festivals," he said.

The MPs who attended the church service raised the red flag over the number of deaths from road accidents during this Christmas season and asked the government to be tough on violaters of traffic laws. 

"In the last few days we have seen many people perish on the roads because of carelessness by drivers. Traffic police should be tough on any driver found to have violated traffic rules," Wakoli said.

The senator said roads should not be death traps for people who are traveling to celebrate the festivities with their families.

Kalasinga and Makali asked passengers not to tolerate drivers who threaten their lives through careless driving and carrying excess passengers.

Waluke called for peaceful co-existance among Kenyans, noting that tribalism was the cause of divisions being experienced in the country.

He asked all the leaders to support President William Ruto's efforts to unite and develop Kenya.