Elders urge Narok leaders to end differences, unite

Ololmasani Council of Elders chairman Mzee Charles Kijana at Ololmasani shrine in Abossi, Transmara East sub-county, on October 12, 2024. [Courtesy].

Ololmasani Council of Elders have called on elected leaders from Narok county to shun divisions and unite for the benefit of the community.

Council of Elders Chairman Charles Kijana, expressed concern about incidents where a section of leaders organise for their colleagues to be heckled in public meetings.

Speaking at Ololmasani shrine in Abossi on Saturday, Kijana said numerous conflicts being witnessed among leaders may cause divisions and undermine development.

"Politics comes and goes, and everybody has a right to vote the way they see fit but the community has to remain together," he said.

He said the community is facing challenges which require the leaders' urgent attention.

Kijana cited poor road network, education, poor health services which he said should be addressed by leaders instead of squabbling.

He appealed political leaders to move past elections and heal the region.

"We appeal to leaders to forego their electoral bitterness. We have heard some people talk ill of others and we urge them to allow the populace to heal and move on," he said.

He said the region needs to re-engineer itself and focus on unity to face its challenges.

"We are facing a poor economy and we need to work together to face the challenges," he said.

Kijana said booing leaders is not part of the community's behaviour and all leaders must be given equal treatment.

"As elders, we condemn the behaviour and appeal to the young people to maintain silence anytime their leaders are addressing them," he said.

He said shouting down leaders at public rallies does not solve anything.

"What will someone gain by being lured to heckle others, and embarrassing them in front of their families, friends and relatives?" he posed.

Kijana said those who do the heckling are inviting curses upon themselves and their generations.

Ololmasani Ward representative Samwel Kipkoech Towett alias Bomori expressed deepest gratitude to the elders for their unwavering commitment and guidance, which serves as a beacon of light for the leadership of Ololmasani.

The region that voted overwhelmingly for the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance has in the recent past seen its leaders exchange words publicly.

Towett has consistently criticised Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu over his style of leadership.

In July this year ,the MCA mobilised traders at Njipship market to stop paying levies due to lack of toilets.

Speaking when he visited the market to access the situation the MCA said traders had suffered a lot despite paying levies to Narok County government without getting essential services.

"These traders are paying taxes like other Kenyans but they don't get services from the county government,'' he lamented.