Njue urges Government to address rising cost of living

By Peter Orengo

John Cardinal Njue has asked the Government to immediately address the rising cost of living to avoid cases of social uprising witnessed in Uganda.

The Catholic prelate said the present environment created by the high cost of living could not allow people to be productive in their places of work and urged the Government to further reduce tax on

With the inflation rate reaching an all-time high, those hit hard are low-income Kenyans.

Njue said this vulnerable group should be cushioned.

"When people are wounded, nothing can stop them from reacting to their problems. This will affect productivity. The Government must address the issue of food once and for all," said Cardinal Njue.

He spoke during the Easter Sunday Mass at the Holy family Basilica, where he repeated his call to leaders to preach peace and reconciliation among Kenyans.

He criticised leaders who preach hatred and division among Kenyans when given opportunity to speak at church functions instead of using the chance to preach peace.

"I encourage leaders to be at the forefront in bringing Kenyans together, irrespective of their origin or tribe."

Responsible nation

"God has blessed us with a wonderful country in which all of us can live together in peace," said Njue.

He asked Kenyans to shun corruption, which he said had enslaved people to the point of oppressing others.

Those who have wealth, Njue said, should use it as a means of expressing love to the poor. The Cardinal urged parents to play their roles as guardians and provide for their families.

He warned against an emerging trend, where some parents abdicated their duties in the family, leaving everything to one party.

"All parents should play their duty if we want to develop a responsible nation. We have all sorts of social problems because some parents have run away from their duties," said Njue.

He said the Catholic Church had embarked on a journey of reconciling Kenyans with a view of finding lasting peace before next year’s General Election.