South Rift Elders Step in to Guide and Mentor the Youth
By Festus Rono
In a bid to curb the rising cases of moral decay and social unrest, the Kipsigis Myoot Council of Elders has stepped in to guide and mentor the youth across Bomet, Narok, and Kericho counties by promoting adherence to cultural values and traditions for a better future.
During a special interfaith prayer and blessing ceremony held at Bomet Green Stadium, the elders, in collaboration with church leaders, emphasized the need to steer young people in the right direction. The event was led by the council’s chairperson Richard Ngeno.
“We, as elders and the church, have a vital role to play in mentoring and blessing our youth so they can follow the right path in life,” said Ngeno. He encouraged the youth to make productive use of their time and talents.
Ngeno also called upon both the national and county governments to ensure that young people are granted their constitutional rights. “The reason many youths are taking part in demonstrations is because they are idle. However, we commend our local youths for staying away from recent violent protests,” he added.
Echoing the sentiments, Bishop Benjamin Bengat of Liberty Gospel Church urged county governments to allocate at least 30% of tenders and contracts to youth, as provided by the constitution.
Youth representatives present at the event, led by Bomet Youth President Morgan Cheruiyot, expressed their gratitude to the elders and the church for coming together to guide them. “We appreciate the Kipsigis Myoot Council of Elders and the church for reminding us of the importance of living rightly and protecting our community,” said Cheruiyot.
He further appealed to leaders across all sectors to embrace dialogue and create platforms that unite the youth, elders, religious leaders, and political figures in addressing the challenges facing the young generation.
