KENYA: Catholic Bishops are deeply concerned about the Insecurity in the Country
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| HE John Cardinal Njue (Left) and Bishop Philip Anyolo |
The Kenya Conference of Catholic
Bishops (KCCB) are deeply concerned with issues of insecurity across the
country.
In their press statement issued
after the Bishops’ plenary assembly held at Ukweli Pastoral Centre in the
Archdiocese of Kisumu from 4th to 8th November 2013 the
Bishops said they are greatly troubled by increasing cases of kidnappings,
carjacking and terrorist attacks in the country.
after the Bishops’ plenary assembly held at Ukweli Pastoral Centre in the
Archdiocese of Kisumu from 4th to 8th November 2013 the
Bishops said they are greatly troubled by increasing cases of kidnappings,
carjacking and terrorist attacks in the country.
Among the issues of insecurity which
the Bishops pointed out were in the coast and northern Kenya regions, whereby
the burning of churches and killing of religious leaders in cold blood occurred.
the Bishops pointed out were in the coast and northern Kenya regions, whereby
the burning of churches and killing of religious leaders in cold blood occurred.
While commending the Government for
its recent initiative to involve every Kenyan in security matters and community
policing the Bishops urged Kenyans to stay vigilant and look out for each other.
They also reminded the government that more has to be done to ensure the
security of her citizen.
its recent initiative to involve every Kenyan in security matters and community
policing the Bishops urged Kenyans to stay vigilant and look out for each other.
They also reminded the government that more has to be done to ensure the
security of her citizen.
The Bishops also talked about
corruption and greedy in the public sector saying that the vice continues to be
a dragon that preys on the country’s present and future. “In the last few
weeks, the media has been awash with allegations of corruption and
mismanagement of public funds in a number of public offices.” They urged all
Kenyans to exercise the highest levels of integrity in their day to day duties
and that the duty of rooting out corruption belongs to every Kenyan and all must
be committed to fight the vice.
corruption and greedy in the public sector saying that the vice continues to be
a dragon that preys on the country’s present and future. “In the last few
weeks, the media has been awash with allegations of corruption and
mismanagement of public funds in a number of public offices.” They urged all
Kenyans to exercise the highest levels of integrity in their day to day duties
and that the duty of rooting out corruption belongs to every Kenyan and all must
be committed to fight the vice.
In the same statement the Bishops
also talked about the ill of negative ethnicity and urged national leadership
to promote unity and ensure equal representation of all Kenyans in state and
national appointments and distribution of resources.
also talked about the ill of negative ethnicity and urged national leadership
to promote unity and ensure equal representation of all Kenyans in state and
national appointments and distribution of resources.
On matters related to the International
Criminal Court the Bishops observed that the ICC cases facing the President and
his Deputy are causing a lot of anxiety and urged all Kenyans to be calm,
united and patiently allowing the court process to run its course.
Criminal Court the Bishops observed that the ICC cases facing the President and
his Deputy are causing a lot of anxiety and urged all Kenyans to be calm,
united and patiently allowing the court process to run its course.
Finally the Bishop also commented
on the Proposed Media Law which seems to have raised a lot of concern among
media houses in Kenya. “Making of new laws or amendments
calls for the participation of all stakeholders. The role of the media in
highlighting issues of national interest and encouraging public discussion
should never be underestimated. While calling for a clear respect for the
freedom of the media, we urge the press to be more responsible and aware of the
power they wield to build or to destroy and must be guided by the truth,” the
statement said.
on the Proposed Media Law which seems to have raised a lot of concern among
media houses in Kenya. “Making of new laws or amendments
calls for the participation of all stakeholders. The role of the media in
highlighting issues of national interest and encouraging public discussion
should never be underestimated. While calling for a clear respect for the
freedom of the media, we urge the press to be more responsible and aware of the
power they wield to build or to destroy and must be guided by the truth,” the
statement said.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications
AMECEA Social Communications
Below is the full text of the Press
Statement:
Statement:
Our Beloved Nation,
Our Concerns
Our Concerns
“Yahweh
loves those who hate evil, He keeps safe his faithful” (Psalm 97: 10-12)
loves those who hate evil, He keeps safe his faithful” (Psalm 97: 10-12)
1.
Introduction
Introduction
We,
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, meeting at Ukweli Pastoral Centre in
the Archdiocese of Kisumu, have reflected deeply on the state of the
Nation. As shepherds, we feel very close
to our brothers and sisters in our nation. The ordinary Kenyan has gone through
a period of great anxiety caused by the terrorist attacks, insecurity, road
accidents, and the uncertainty caused by the political see-saws.
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, meeting at Ukweli Pastoral Centre in
the Archdiocese of Kisumu, have reflected deeply on the state of the
Nation. As shepherds, we feel very close
to our brothers and sisters in our nation. The ordinary Kenyan has gone through
a period of great anxiety caused by the terrorist attacks, insecurity, road
accidents, and the uncertainty caused by the political see-saws.
We want to
tell every single Kenyan that we have a responsibility, and we as your
shepherds invite you to hope, and to each take our role in our society. We
therefore wish to share some reflections and concerns, on the current state of
our country.
tell every single Kenyan that we have a responsibility, and we as your
shepherds invite you to hope, and to each take our role in our society. We
therefore wish to share some reflections and concerns, on the current state of
our country.
2.
STATE
OF INSECURITY
STATE
OF INSECURITY
We are
deeply concerned about the general state of insecurity across the country. Of
particular mention are: the insecurity in the coast and northern Kenya regions,
the burning of churches and killing of religious leaders in cold blood.
deeply concerned about the general state of insecurity across the country. Of
particular mention are: the insecurity in the coast and northern Kenya regions,
the burning of churches and killing of religious leaders in cold blood.
We are
greatly troubled by increasing cases of kidnappings, carjacking and terrorist
attacks in our country. We wish to once again remind our fellow citizens that
the security of this country starts with each and every one of us. As such, we
ask all Kenyans, to be ever more vigilant and not to lower their guard. In this
regard, we commend the recent government initiative to involve every Kenyan in
security matters and community policing. It reminds all of us that we must
endeavour to be each other’s keeper when it comes to security issues. We still
remind the government that more needs to be done. The country cannot afford to
gamble with the security of her citizens.
greatly troubled by increasing cases of kidnappings, carjacking and terrorist
attacks in our country. We wish to once again remind our fellow citizens that
the security of this country starts with each and every one of us. As such, we
ask all Kenyans, to be ever more vigilant and not to lower their guard. In this
regard, we commend the recent government initiative to involve every Kenyan in
security matters and community policing. It reminds all of us that we must
endeavour to be each other’s keeper when it comes to security issues. We still
remind the government that more needs to be done. The country cannot afford to
gamble with the security of her citizens.
We appreciate efforts
by our Muslim brothers and sisters to disassociate themselves from violence.
However it is regrettable that some people continue to use the name of God and
religion to kill and maim innocent people.
We also disassociate ourselves from demands by some religious leaders
for arms to defend themselves and their flock. Religious extremism will only
brew more conflicts and create more division and strife among communities. We
believe in peace and insist that it is the duty of the government to provide
security for its citizens.
by our Muslim brothers and sisters to disassociate themselves from violence.
However it is regrettable that some people continue to use the name of God and
religion to kill and maim innocent people.
We also disassociate ourselves from demands by some religious leaders
for arms to defend themselves and their flock. Religious extremism will only
brew more conflicts and create more division and strife among communities. We
believe in peace and insist that it is the duty of the government to provide
security for its citizens.
3.
CORRUPTION
AND GREED
CORRUPTION
AND GREED
Corruption continues to
be a dragon that preys on our country’s present and future. In the last few
weeks, the media has been awash with allegations of corruption and
mismanagement of public funds in a number of public offices. We urge all
Kenyans to exercise the highest levels of integrity in their day to day duties.
be a dragon that preys on our country’s present and future. In the last few
weeks, the media has been awash with allegations of corruption and
mismanagement of public funds in a number of public offices. We urge all
Kenyans to exercise the highest levels of integrity in their day to day duties.
We note with a lot of
concern that corruption has directly led to numerous deaths on our roads caused
by drivers with little respect for human life and police who have just refused
to implement the law.
concern that corruption has directly led to numerous deaths on our roads caused
by drivers with little respect for human life and police who have just refused
to implement the law.
The duty of rooting out corruption
belongs to every Kenyan. Our dear Kenyans, we need to save our lives and our
nation for ourselves and the future generations. Our dear Kenyans, every one of us;
politicians, leaders and ordinary citizens; police and the judiciary; must take
upon themselves the commitment to fight corruption. WE MUST CHANGE FROM OUR CORRUPT WAYS IF WE
WANT TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY!
belongs to every Kenyan. Our dear Kenyans, we need to save our lives and our
nation for ourselves and the future generations. Our dear Kenyans, every one of us;
politicians, leaders and ordinary citizens; police and the judiciary; must take
upon themselves the commitment to fight corruption. WE MUST CHANGE FROM OUR CORRUPT WAYS IF WE
WANT TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY!
4.
THE
ILL OF NEGATIVE ETHNICITY
THE
ILL OF NEGATIVE ETHNICITY
While we
reaffirm our support for devolution and decentralized governance, we warn
against emerging trends of corruption, nepotism and unjustifiable spending in
the various leadership offices.
reaffirm our support for devolution and decentralized governance, we warn
against emerging trends of corruption, nepotism and unjustifiable spending in
the various leadership offices.
The fact
that elected leaders manipulate the legislative process to demand for
unreasonable remunerations, while a majority of Kenyans wallow in poverty, goes
to prove how insensitive our leadership has become. There is an increasing
tendency to discriminate against other people on the basis of their religion
and ethnic affiliations. It is regrettable that religious and ethnic
exclusiveness are still rampant in the central and regional governments. We
also urge national leadership to promote unity and ensure equal representation
of all Kenyans in state and national appointments and distribution of
resources.
that elected leaders manipulate the legislative process to demand for
unreasonable remunerations, while a majority of Kenyans wallow in poverty, goes
to prove how insensitive our leadership has become. There is an increasing
tendency to discriminate against other people on the basis of their religion
and ethnic affiliations. It is regrettable that religious and ethnic
exclusiveness are still rampant in the central and regional governments. We
also urge national leadership to promote unity and ensure equal representation
of all Kenyans in state and national appointments and distribution of
resources.
5.
INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT
INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL COURT
The ICC cases facing
our President and his Deputy are causing a lot of anxiety. While we appreciate
that the ICC tribunal has considered to make the timetable fairly flexible, we
urge all Kenyans to be calm, united and patient allowing the court process to
run its course.
our President and his Deputy are causing a lot of anxiety. While we appreciate
that the ICC tribunal has considered to make the timetable fairly flexible, we
urge all Kenyans to be calm, united and patient allowing the court process to
run its course.
6.
PROPOSED
MEDIA LAW
PROPOSED
MEDIA LAW
We have noticed the
heat generated by the proposed media law that seeks to regulate the operations
and conduct of journalists, bloggers and other communicators. Without delving
into the merits or demerits of the proposed law, we remind all Kenyans and more
so the drafters of the bill that the current constitution encourages public
participation in its implementation. Making of new laws or amendments therefore
calls for the participation of all stakeholders.
heat generated by the proposed media law that seeks to regulate the operations
and conduct of journalists, bloggers and other communicators. Without delving
into the merits or demerits of the proposed law, we remind all Kenyans and more
so the drafters of the bill that the current constitution encourages public
participation in its implementation. Making of new laws or amendments therefore
calls for the participation of all stakeholders.
The role of the media
in highlighting issues of national interest and encouraging public discussion
should never be underestimated. While calling for a clear respect for the
freedom of the media, we urge the press to be more responsible and aware of the
power they wield to build or to destroy and must be guided by the truth.
in highlighting issues of national interest and encouraging public discussion
should never be underestimated. While calling for a clear respect for the
freedom of the media, we urge the press to be more responsible and aware of the
power they wield to build or to destroy and must be guided by the truth.
CONCLUSION
We, the
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, in the words of St Paul, “…beg you to
walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called, with all
humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Be
anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace”
(Ephesians: 4:1-3).
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, in the words of St Paul, “…beg you to
walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called, with all
humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Be
anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace”
(Ephesians: 4:1-3).
May God Bless our Land and Nation
“Ee Mungu
Nguvu Yetu, Ilete Baraka Kwetu…” (National Anthem.)
Nguvu Yetu, Ilete Baraka Kwetu…” (National Anthem.)
___________________________________
His Eminence John Cardinal Njue
Chairman
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
(KCCB)
(KCCB)
