KENYA: Press Statement by the Catholic Bishops in Kenya
Towards A God Fearing Nation, Peaceful and Credible
Elections, Integrity of Leaders, Rule of Law and Security
Elections, Integrity of Leaders, Rule of Law and Security
Preamble
Our dear Christians, fellow Kenyans and all people of goodwill, we, the
Catholic Bishops in Kenya, meeting in St Patrick’s Pastoral Centre in Kabula,
Bungoma, at the beginning of the Year of Faith 2012/13, greet you in the name
of Our Lord Jesus Christ who in this moment calls on us to conversion, to renew
ourselves, get closer to Him and lead a Christian life as we engage with the
world.
Catholic Bishops in Kenya, meeting in St Patrick’s Pastoral Centre in Kabula,
Bungoma, at the beginning of the Year of Faith 2012/13, greet you in the name
of Our Lord Jesus Christ who in this moment calls on us to conversion, to renew
ourselves, get closer to Him and lead a Christian life as we engage with the
world.
As the country moves towards the first General Elections under the new
constitution, we are deeply disturbed by the state of the nation as regards
several pertinent issues.
Registration of Voters, Civic Education and Election Preparedness
While we are glad that that Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits have
been delivered, we would like that a clear date be set for the voter
registration in order to give ample time for all to register.
been delivered, we would like that a clear date be set for the voter
registration in order to give ample time for all to register.
Kenyans need to be assured that the elections will take place on March
4, 2013 as promised, and we want a reassurance that they will not be postponed
under any pretext. We are hopeful that everything is being done to meet the
deadline. It is the duty of all Kenyans to register to vote. We strongly
encourage and urge all Kenyans to take up their constitutional responsibility
and register as voters.
4, 2013 as promised, and we want a reassurance that they will not be postponed
under any pretext. We are hopeful that everything is being done to meet the
deadline. It is the duty of all Kenyans to register to vote. We strongly
encourage and urge all Kenyans to take up their constitutional responsibility
and register as voters.
Integrity of Leadership
The struggle for the second liberation of this country which the church
fought bravely, risks being defeated unless the constitutional Chapter of
Integrity and Leadership is followed and implemented. Integrity means more than
just natural goodness, but true uprightness, and ethical behaviour in the
actions of those seeking elective office.
fought bravely, risks being defeated unless the constitutional Chapter of
Integrity and Leadership is followed and implemented. Integrity means more than
just natural goodness, but true uprightness, and ethical behaviour in the
actions of those seeking elective office.
In particular we make a strong appeal to all Kenyans to examine and
assess all candidates seeking elective positions, on their integrity. We should
not expect any good leadership from those who have compromised their integrity.
The following people therefore do not qualify for political office for lack of
integrity:
assess all candidates seeking elective positions, on their integrity. We should
not expect any good leadership from those who have compromised their integrity.
The following people therefore do not qualify for political office for lack of
integrity:
•Persons
who have no respect for God
who have no respect for God
•Persons
who do not follow and respect the rule of law, or publicly urge citizens to
dismiss the rule of law
who do not follow and respect the rule of law, or publicly urge citizens to
dismiss the rule of law
•Persons
convicted for corruption and related offences, due to their criminal and
dishonest background
convicted for corruption and related offences, due to their criminal and
dishonest background
•Persons who preach or induce others
to violence and hatred, by word or action
to violence and hatred, by word or action
•Persons
who have been involved in drug trafficking and peddling
who have been involved in drug trafficking and peddling
•Persons
who are involved in illegal and illicit business
who are involved in illegal and illicit business
•Persons
who have used others or paid others to commit crime
who have used others or paid others to commit crime
•Persons who keep changing their position on important national issues.
Insecurity, Crime and Impunity
As the Catholic Church, we are perplexed and dismayed by the rising
insecurity and terrorist attacks especially targeted at innocent Christians in
their places of worship.
insecurity and terrorist attacks especially targeted at innocent Christians in
their places of worship.
More disturbing is the fact that the more police promise to investigate
the matters, the more attacks we experience, causing us to wonder; for how long
will our people suffer? Is it suddenly dangerous to be a Christian in this
country? Why have the perpetrators not been brought to book? We want the
security of every Kenyan reassured.
the matters, the more attacks we experience, causing us to wonder; for how long
will our people suffer? Is it suddenly dangerous to be a Christian in this
country? Why have the perpetrators not been brought to book? We want the
security of every Kenyan reassured.
The influx of guns and other dangerous weapons into the country is very
alarming. We appreciate the efforts of the security forces, and realize several
have lost their lives in the efforts of restoring order. We pray for them. On
the other hand there seems to be reluctance and lack of vigilance in some
security personnel causing illegal arms to increase and criminal elements to
operate freely in our country.
alarming. We appreciate the efforts of the security forces, and realize several
have lost their lives in the efforts of restoring order. We pray for them. On
the other hand there seems to be reluctance and lack of vigilance in some
security personnel causing illegal arms to increase and criminal elements to
operate freely in our country.
We also appeal to the courts to be independent of political
manipulations, and be seen to be independent especially in this crucial moment.
manipulations, and be seen to be independent especially in this crucial moment.
The talk of a police go-slow is shocking and very dangerous. We don’t
need to remind those responsible of what will happen if the police were left to
go on strike. Why must everybody have to go on strike to get their rights?
need to remind those responsible of what will happen if the police were left to
go on strike. Why must everybody have to go on strike to get their rights?
While the demand for better working conditions and remuneration may be
justified, we are afraid this trend of different groups demanding pay-hikes
which the government finally awards indiscriminately is dangerous. We warn that
these will raise taxes, exert undue pressure on poor Kenyans, by raising the
prices of basic commodities.
justified, we are afraid this trend of different groups demanding pay-hikes
which the government finally awards indiscriminately is dangerous. We warn that
these will raise taxes, exert undue pressure on poor Kenyans, by raising the
prices of basic commodities.
Regional Groupings and Political Alliances
Dear Kenyans, we have noticed the excitement and anxiety caused by on-going
political alliances and coalition building. While it is a sign of our country’s
baby steps towards a maturing democracy, we are disturbed that most of these
alliances are being done on tribal arithmetic.
political alliances and coalition building. While it is a sign of our country’s
baby steps towards a maturing democracy, we are disturbed that most of these
alliances are being done on tribal arithmetic.
We remind you of our message to you last April 2012 that, “while
bringing people together is always good, if the intention is other than
improving Kenyans’ quality of life, then we express our reservations. We urge
our leaders to stop forming groups which will isolate particular communities
from the rest of the country.” (Letter of Catholic Bishops, April 2012)
bringing people together is always good, if the intention is other than
improving Kenyans’ quality of life, then we express our reservations. We urge
our leaders to stop forming groups which will isolate particular communities
from the rest of the country.” (Letter of Catholic Bishops, April 2012)
Our Message to the Youth
With the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, we wish to remind you, our young
people that you are also rich in qualities, energies, dreams and hopes not only
for yourselves, but also for others, for the Church and for the world.
people that you are also rich in qualities, energies, dreams and hopes not only
for yourselves, but also for others, for the Church and for the world.
Our dear young people, we speak to you as your spiritual fathers. Let
not your lives be driven by short term desires which may lead to
self-destruction.
not your lives be driven by short term desires which may lead to
self-destruction.
God has given you an opportunity to grow in a beautiful country and see
the consequences of many human mistakes. Don’t follow the way of evil, don’t
allow yourselves to be used by selfish individuals against your fellow
citizens.
the consequences of many human mistakes. Don’t follow the way of evil, don’t
allow yourselves to be used by selfish individuals against your fellow
citizens.
Our Lord Jesus reminds us; “You know the commandments: ”Do not commit
adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud,
Honor your father and mother.” (Mark 10: 19). Live this and you will
become young people of integrity.
adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud,
Honor your father and mother.” (Mark 10: 19). Live this and you will
become young people of integrity.
Conclusion
Dear Kenyans and people of good will, speaking to you as the Catholic
Bishops in Kenya at this moment when the country is approaching the General
Election, we urge you all to work towards achieving a peaceful election. Let us
all manifest our belief in God, our faith, in our daily decisions and
particularly in this moment of General Elections, so that we can have a smooth
transition and a prosperous God fearing Kenya.
Bishops in Kenya at this moment when the country is approaching the General
Election, we urge you all to work towards achieving a peaceful election. Let us
all manifest our belief in God, our faith, in our daily decisions and
particularly in this moment of General Elections, so that we can have a smooth
transition and a prosperous God fearing Kenya.
His Eminence John
Cardinal Njue
Cardinal Njue
Chairman, Kenya
Episcopal Conference
Bungoma, November 8, 2012
SOURCE: KEC
Communications office
