NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 4 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Kenyans to develop a reading culture to improve their linguistic skills and promote the works of local authors and writers.
Mr Musyoka said there was need for Kenyans to embrace the habit rather than over indulge in watching westernised movies which in one way or another have contributed in the breakdown of moral values among teenagers.
“There is need for us to embrace the culture of reading instead of over indulging in watching westernised movies which can contribute to breakdown of moral values among teenagers. In fact, television and film have made it difficult for families to interact,’’ said Mr Musyoka.
He challenged local literature writers to explore their potentials and exploit the opportunities for the ready readership market through publication of fictional books with an African context.
Speaking at the University of Nairobi on Thursday evening, during the launch of a book ‘ My Native Roots’ by Dr Joe Wanjui the Chancellor of the Nairobi University, the VP urged writers and authors to help fight the problem of negative ethnicity.
And at the same time, the VP blamed sub-division of lands into small farms on the famine ravaging the country.
He said the sub division of such lands into small pieces has greatly contributed to decrease in food supply in some parts of the country.
Mr Musyoka noted that it was only through large tracts of land that extensive farming activities could be carried out, thus bring to an end the problem of food shortage.
He said that the small farms in rural areas could no longer provide enough food to cope with the needs of the country’s growing population.
“The sub division of the lands into small pieces as witnessed in many parts of the country has really contributed to the famine facing the country since farming activities carried in such farms cannot even sustain the family food needs,’’ he said.
Mr Musyoka who is also the Minister for Home Affairs said urbanisation has also contributed to famine noting that many people had migrated to urban areas to look for employment opportunities at the expense of engaging in agricultural activities in rural areas.
Present at the function were Vice Chancellor Prof George Magoha and the Chairman of Nairobi University Council John Simba among others.
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