Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has called on the Church to partner with the Government in consolidating peace gains and strengthening community values, noting that security and stability are the foundation of sustainable development.
Speaking during a service at Mogotio Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Dr Omollo said Government interventions to curb banditry and livestock theft in the Kerio Valley and the wider Rift Valley were bearing fruit. He urged residents, elders and faith leaders to help sustain the progress through peace messaging, responsible citizenship and close cooperation with local security structures.
“Let us promote peace and responsible citizenship by working with our local administrators, Nyumba Kumi structures, village elders and security agencies,” Dr Omollo said, adding that the calm currently being witnessed across the region must be protected through sustained community vigilance and unity.
The PS issued a stern warning to criminals and individuals masquerading as business people who target young people through illicit drugs and other harmful products, saying the Government would take decisive action against them and their networks.
“As a Ministry, we have marching orders from H.E. the President. We will not negotiate with unscrupulous individuals who seek to profit from destroying our children,” he said.
On service delivery, Dr Omollo said the Government was operationalising administrative units that had been gazetted earlier but not fully implemented, alongside newly gazetted units cleared for operationalisation by the County Commissioner and the county security team. He said Mogotio Sub-County would benefit from three new locations and three sub-locations, while across Baringo County, the Government would operationalise five divisions, more than 20 locations and over 40 sub-locations.
“We are doing this so that wananchi can get services conveniently without walking long distances — accessing the Chief, the Sub-Chief and other Government offices with ease,” he said.
The PS reiterated President William Ruto’s directive that no child should miss school due to lack of fees, uniform or shoes, urging parents to take advantage of the extended reporting period announced by the Ministry of Education. He commended the County Commissioner alongside county education and security teams for their efforts to ensure learners report to school, noting that as of Saturday morning, Baringo County’s transition rate stood at 71 per cent, against a target of 100 per cent.
“Within the next one week, let us follow up on the President’s directive and ensure every eligible learner reports to Senior School,” Dr Omollo urged, calling on MCAs, the area MP, local administrators and education officers to work together.
Addressing youth empowerment, Dr Omollo said the Government was rolling out targeted programmes to tackle unemployment and uplift livelihoods, citing the NYOTA Programme and related enterprise development initiatives. He noted that under NYOTA, over 121,000 young people are set to benefit nationally, with 70 youth in every ward receiving a KSh50,000 grant to expand existing businesses or start new ones.
The PS also underscored the importance of skills recognition and certification, saying formal certification could significantly increase earning potential for artisans such as plumbers and mechanics, while opening opportunities for employment locally and abroad through the Government’s labour mobility programme.
On housing and economic growth, Dr Omollo highlighted the Affordable Housing Programme, noting that it incorporates complementary developments such as markets and hostels, which create jobs and stimulate local economies. He cited ongoing projects in the Mogotio area, including recently launched affordable housing units, the Mogotio modern market, and other initiatives aimed at expanding access to services and employment.
Dr Omollo said the development agenda under the Kenya Kwanza Administration was being implemented countrywide, with similar projects ongoing in North Eastern, Coast, Nyanza and Rift Valley regions. He added that the Government’s peace and development efforts reflected a raised standard of leadership, urging leaders and aspiring leaders to focus on service, results and unity.
He called on the Church and the community to remain united, protect children from social ills, embrace education and empowerment, and safeguard the peace gains achieved.
Mogotio Member of Parliament Reuben Kiborek, who was among the leaders present, urged residents — particularly the youth — to take advantage of ongoing Government services to acquire national identity cards and ensure they are duly registered as voters ahead of upcoming elections. The MP further encouraged eligible citizens to turn out and vote, noting that civic participation strengthens democracy and promotes accountable leadership.
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