NAIROBI, JULY 13, 2018 (CISA)– Deputy President William Ruto has called upon retired members of the clergy who are eligible to government cash transfer program to make use of the service.
The program gives a monthly stipend and free health insurance to the elderly Kenyans of ages 70 and above.
Ruto was speaking Wednesday July 17 at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi during a fundraising dinner to help the Archdiocese of Mombasa build a home for old and retired priests.
He clarified that the program targets the aged and therefore retired religious men and women are not an exception.
“…If it is okay with the church I want to tell you that this is a program and service that is on offer to everybody in Kenya and if our priests and bishops that are in that category of 70 years plus, they too can take advantage of that initiative,” he said.
The deputy president recognized efforts by the clergy in building bridges and bonds of friendship and brotherhood among the Kenyan citizens.
“I am confident that with all that is going on around this, there will be a great realization amongst the people of Kenya of the need and importance of unity and brotherhood of being together and forging a united front that will enable us built our country,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Archbishop Martin Kivuva, the Chairperson of the Dialogue Reference Group (DRG) who assured of the commitment of the church in the ongoing debate of national dialogue.
“We have plans and dreams we shared with the president and agreed that he is going to help us join the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to contribute our thoughts in there,” he said.
Building Bridges Initiative is a 14-member team comprising political and religious leaders tasked to initiate the process of uniting the country.
The initiative was unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga after they reached a common agreement to work together towards uniting the country.
