Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has challenged political and religious leaders to show their seriousness in preaching peace and reconciliation in the country.
Mr. Musyoka said it was high time leaders put aside their political and religious difference and forge a common agenda in the fight against negative ethnicity in the country.
"It's time we make 2010, a year of peace and reconciliation for the sake of stability and development,'' said Mr. Musyoka.
"My dream is that this country will remain united despite different communities and political backgrounds if leaders forge a common agenda in preaching peace and reconciliation,'' added the VP.
Mr. Musyoka said he was optimistic that the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) headed by ambassador Bethwel Kiplagat will come up with ways of ensuring that Kenyans forget the past and forgive each other for the sake of peace, development and stability.
The VP made the remarks Tuesday when he addressed two separate public barazas at Kures primary school and Athinai open grounds in Mogotio and Rongai Constituencies respectively.
Mr. Musyoka had toured the areas to console the families which were affected by floods following heavy rains which pounded the area.
The VP assured that the Government has put in place proper measures aimed at assisting the families which have been affected by floods that have wrecked havoc in many parts of the country.
He said committees have been set up in all the affected areas of the country to closely monitor the situation and explore ways of assisting the families affected by the floods.
Mr. Musyoka sent out an appeal for assistance for the victims, noting that thousands of people had been affected.
He appealed to donors and other well-wishers to step in and boost the Government support in assisting the victims.
The VP said the Government was committed to ensuring that the problem of famine becomes a thing of the past through the introduction of irrigation schemes in arid and semi arid parts of the country.
" I am sure the construction of dams in areas like this (Mogotio) will help solve the problem of famine as the residents will have water for irrigation purposes'' he said.
Mr. Musyoka also urged Kenyans to embark on planting of trees as one way of fighting the bad effects of the climate change.
"We can only fight the bad effects of the climate change if we intensify our conservation efforts by planting trees in our farms,'' said Mr. Musyoka.
On constitution, the VP said he was optimistic that the current Parliament will give Kenyans a new constitution before the end of the year.
"I am optimistic that we are going to have non-contested constitution this time round unlike what was experienced during the 2005 referendum,'' he said.
Cabinet Ministers Prof. Hellen Sambili (Youth and Sports) and Dr. Naomi Shaban (Special Programmes) and Rongai MP, Luka Kigen emphasized on the need for leaders to unite and solve the many problems facing Kenyans.
They said it was only through unity and teamwork that leaders could confront the challenges facing the country ranging from famine, floods, poor infrastructure, unemployment and insecurity among other issues.
Mrs. Shaban said the Government will increase food supplies to areas which have been hard hit by famine and floods.
Regional Commissioner in charge of Central Rift Valley Mr. Amos Gatecha said the floods have so far killed 20 people in the province and thousands others displaced.
