By Flora Awinja
Mining CS Salim Mvurya has urged Kwale communities to use their cultural diversities to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.
Mvurya said people should shun tribal alignment as it causes division and impedes development.
“Don’t allow our different traditions and culture to divide us but embrace them for tolerance and togetherness for prosperity,” he said.
He made the statement at the Kwale Cultural Center during the Kwale Annual Cultural Competitions in the Matuga constituency.
Mvurya said tribal politics is obsolete and has no room in the country.
He said working together is the spirit of all Kenyans since it promotes development.
Mvurya said the government is putting laws in place to ensure that cultural heritage is well cultivated and conserved to promote unity and not diversity.
He said the state wants to ensure the cultures are not misused and applied in the right way for peaceful coexistence.
The CS said plans are underway to fund cultural events and facilitate the documentation of cultures and traditions to boost the tourism economy.
He said the counties will receive support to identify and renovate Kayas to help preserve history and cultures.
“Kayas have been noticed from national worldwide especially knowledge documentation hence they will get monetary support where youngsters can be trained and conserve their culture,” he said.
On matters of mining, Mvurya said more reforms are ongoing to bring sanity to the sector.
He said the government is looking forward to having responsible mining and that investors and investments benefit the mining-affected communities, counties and all Kenyans.
Mvurya said the Kenya Kwanza government wants to equip youth with the blue economy skills to effectively exploit the sector and create jobs.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani promised to support the cultural events and harness cohesion.
She urged Kwale residents to continue supporting both the National and County governments for more development.
This year’s Kwale cultural competitions were themed “Our Culture Towards National Integration and Peace”.
It is the ninth Annual event which brought together different communities in the County
The main aim was to showcase cultural diversity and conserve them.
