Speaker Muturi wants Covid-19 restrictions in places of worship lifted

Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi has called for immediate removal of Covid-19 restrictions affecting churches and other places of worship.

Muturi said it was discriminatory to allow full capacity sitting in public service vehicles while restricting church attendance to two-thirds of full capacity.

The Speaker noted that churches and other religious places of worship are the most disciplined in observing Covid-19 protocols yet they continue to face attendance restrictions.

"Even us politicians are not subjected to any Covid restrictions in our rallies, why restrain attendance in religious places of worship?” Muturi posed.

The Speaker made the remarks while presiding at the closing ceremony of the counties public service boards in a Mombasa hotel.

He told the government that places of worship play a noble duty in society and should be the first to be allowed full reopening.

His statement comes a day after he hinted at a possibility of working with Deputy President William Ruto ahead of the next general elections.

Speaking Boment, he stated that since he has declared his interest in the presidential seat in the coming general election, he sees no problem if he unites with people from the Rift valley as that will guarantee them a win.

“I come from a place called from Mbeere and you know I am also eyeing a seat, if we unite together are they really going to beat us? They are not, we are going to win,” he said amidst cheers from the crowd outside the county assembly.

Without invoking the name of Ruto in his address, Muturi who avoided drumming support for his declared ambition in the region as opposed to his tours in other parts of the country only assured the gathering that everything was okay.

“Kitu tu nataka kuwahakikishia ni kwamba mambo ni shwari and nikisema yako shwari najua mnafahamu, sisi ni watu wa kusonga na lazima tusonge and kwa sababu yote panapo baraka za mwenyezi Mungu,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to urge leaders from the county to be focused and united so that they cannot be divided or intimidated by anyone.

“Msikuwe watu wa kutishwatishwa…naona kwa nyuso zenu nyinyi sio watu kutishwa sisi ni watu wa kusonga mbele,” he said.

This was Muturi’s first visit to the South rift region which is one of Ruto’s strongholds.

Muturi was in the county to open the new Dr Joyce Laboso Centre and launch the assembly’s strategic plan.

Present during the event were Bomet governor Hillary Barchok, Senators Christopher Langat, Alice Milgo (nominated), Bomet woman representative Joyce Korir, speaker Nelson Mutai and ward representatives from the county.

Also present were speakers from Nyamira and Baringo county assemblies and the late Laboso's family led by the widower Edwin Abonyo.