Uhuru revives Kimalel goat auction, calls for collaboration to check insecurity

By PSCU

BARINGO, KENYA:  President Uhuru Kenyatta today revived the Kimalel goat auction with a call to Kenyans to collaborate with the Government in maintenance of peace and security in all parts of the country.

President Kenyatta said the Government has put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure security of Kenyans and their property was not threatened during the festive season.

Speaking at Kimalel Cultural fair and goat auction, the President warned those planning criminal activities during the festive season that the Government was vigilant and will decisively deal with them.

“Let us avoid petty politics that only divide Kenyans. We should work together towards national unity for Kenyans to co-exist harmoniously and engage in activities that uplift their standards of living,” he said.

The President asked communities still practicing outdated cultures of livestock rustling to discard the tradition for meaningful peace and development.

Said the President, “In this digital age, Kenyans need to drop cultures practiced by their fore-fathers and move forward. Cattle rustling is theft and therefore criminal. There is nothing traditional about stealing from one another.”

The President urged county governments to identify unique resources within their jurisdiction to exploit for education of children and to grow their economies.

He said education was the cornerstone of sustainable development hence the need to facilitate quality education for all children to prepare them for future leadership roles in the country.

He commended the country’s second President Daniel arap Moi for initiating the goat auction programme to enable the livestock owners to raise money for their children education.

President Kenyatta also thanked Baringo Governor Mr. Benjamin Cheboi for facilitating the goat auction revival. The re-launched goat auction raised Sh9.8 million.

He challenged other county governments to identify and utilize unique resources within their jurisdictions to grow their economies.

On South Sudan, the President said the Government was concerned by the deteriorating security and was monitoring the developments to ensure safety of Kenyans working and living in the neighboring country.

“The government is making arrangements to evacuate all Kenyans willing to leave that country for home. The Government is also ensuring security of its citizens remaining in South Sudan,” he added.

He encouraged leaders in South Sudan to start negotiations for return of peace and security in their country.

President Kenyatta assured leaders in South Sudan that his Government was ready and willing to facilitate dialogue for peace and tranquility to be restored.

“Kenya brokered a peace agreement between the Sudan and South Sudan after 50 years of civil war. Kenya is still ready to offer any form assistance to the neighbouring country to restore peace,” he added.

The goat auction founder, former President Moi urged parents to educate their children so as to minimize domestic conflicts.

The former President said most of domestic disagreements are attributable to low level of literacy among family members.

He urged Kenyans to support President Kenyatta’s Government to maintain security and realize its transformational agenda for the country.