National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Kenyans to unite and embrace equality in national leadership. He made the call during a burial ceremony at Kimuka Village in Kajiado County, where he highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion and ensuring communities that have historically had limited representation are considered in national affairs. Wetang’ula emphasized that Kenya’s ethnic, cultural, and regional diversity should be used to strengthen the country rather than fuel division.
Wetang’ula cited progress made by President William Ruto’s administration over the past four years, pointing to teacher recruitment and infrastructure projects as areas where the government had made gains. He noted that the recruitment of teachers had helped ease shortages linked to the 100 percent transition policy. The Teachers Service Commission provides services including teacher registration and recruitment, as well as the deployment of primary school teachers to junior secondary schools.
The Speaker also highlighted road and railway projects as part of the government’s infrastructure record, saying some projects that had remained stalled were now being taken up again. He mentioned that the railway line is now passing through regions that had no hope of ever seeing a rail. Wetang’ula urged Kenyans to look at government programs beyond the interests of individual communities, saying national development should benefit the wider population.
Wetang’ula pointed to the increased appointment of people from the Maa community to senior government positions as an example of broader inclusion in national leadership. He noted that for a long time, the Maa community had been ignored in the country’s leadership, but today, they have Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and several other senior government officials. This, he maintained, is the unity that President Ruto has been working hard to achieve.
The Speaker’s remarks centered on the need for national leaders to uphold the principles of equality, inclusion, and protection of marginalized groups in the management of public affairs. Article 10 of the Constitution sets out national values and principles of governance that are to guide State organs, State officers, public officers, and other persons when applying or interpreting the Constitution, making or applying laws, or implementing public policy.
Wetang’ula was accompanied by several leaders, including Public Service and Human Capital Development Principal Secretary Prof Jane Imbunya, Education Principal Secretary John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, former National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo, Salaries and Remuneration Commission Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony, and former Cabinet Secretary for Trade Moses Kuria. He called on Kenyans to embrace the principles of equality, inclusion, and protection of marginalized groups.
The Constitution recognizes Kenya’s ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity and commits the country to living in peace and unity as one sovereign nation. Kenyan courts have also affirmed that the values set out under Article 10 are binding and enforceable, including the principles of equality, inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and protection of marginalized communities.
Key points
- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula calls for greater national unity and equal treatment of communities in Kenya.
- Wetang’ula cites progress made by President William Ruto’s administration in teacher recruitment and infrastructure projects.
- The Speaker emphasizes the importance of upholding the principles of equality, inclusion, and protection of marginalized groups in national leadership.
