KENYA: Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Pleads for Peace in Turkana Region
The Apostolic
Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Daniel Charles Balvo has pleaded that the Peace
message that was delivered by various leaders during the Second Inter-diocesan Conference
on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization” trickles down to the parties involved
in conflict.
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| Turkana People in Eucharistic Celebrations to Mark 50 years of Faith in Lodwar Diocese |
The Apostolic
Nuncio gave this message during his visit to Lodwar Diocese where he also
attended the Second Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization
that was held in the Diocese from 8th to 10th December
2013.
Nuncio gave this message during his visit to Lodwar Diocese where he also
attended the Second Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization
that was held in the Diocese from 8th to 10th December
2013.
The Nuncio
encouraged those working for peace in the Karamoja cluster to always remember
that their efforts will be rewarded and the enemies of peace will surely be subdued.
Quoting a verse from the Gospel of the day (2nd
Sunday Advent 2013,…..then the
Wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,……..there shall be no harm,’ the Nuncio said like wise one day the
enemies will stay together without harming each other.
encouraged those working for peace in the Karamoja cluster to always remember
that their efforts will be rewarded and the enemies of peace will surely be subdued.
Quoting a verse from the Gospel of the day (2nd
Sunday Advent 2013,…..then the
Wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,……..there shall be no harm,’ the Nuncio said like wise one day the
enemies will stay together without harming each other.
The Turkana -Pokot
and the neighboring region have been hit by frequent castle rustling and land
issue related to cattle keeping which claimed the lives of many people.
Recently, the Catholic Bishops of Lodwar and Kitale, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich
and Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley in the company of Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth
Chairman KCCB-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission issued a statement addressing
the problem as they termed it as one of the most protracted and intractable
conflicts in the post independent Kenya.However, since then nothing changed
much as the killings still continue.
and the neighboring region have been hit by frequent castle rustling and land
issue related to cattle keeping which claimed the lives of many people.
Recently, the Catholic Bishops of Lodwar and Kitale, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich
and Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley in the company of Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth
Chairman KCCB-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission issued a statement addressing
the problem as they termed it as one of the most protracted and intractable
conflicts in the post independent Kenya.However, since then nothing changed
much as the killings still continue.
During the
Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization,
Bishop Kimengich, whose diocese hosted the event said that since they issued
the statement asking the government to take action, nothing has changed and in
fact the situation is getting worse. He said that they have tried to bring
local leaders in the area together, but it seems they are not ready to
dialogue.
Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization,
Bishop Kimengich, whose diocese hosted the event said that since they issued
the statement asking the government to take action, nothing has changed and in
fact the situation is getting worse. He said that they have tried to bring
local leaders in the area together, but it seems they are not ready to
dialogue.
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| Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Most Rev. Charles Daniel Balvo |
“We are asking
the government to move in quickly and establish a no-man’s land between the
Turkana and the Pokot,” said Bishop Kimengich.
the government to move in quickly and establish a no-man’s land between the
Turkana and the Pokot,” said Bishop Kimengich.
Turkana County
senator, Hon. John Munyes said during the conference that the government will
work closely with the Church to ensure that peace is maintained in the county.
senator, Hon. John Munyes said during the conference that the government will
work closely with the Church to ensure that peace is maintained in the county.
Meanwhile, the Turkana
County Governor, Mr. Josephat Kooli Nanok has blamed the National government for
not moving fast enough to solve the boundary dispute between the Turkana and
the Pokot communities.
County Governor, Mr. Josephat Kooli Nanok has blamed the National government for
not moving fast enough to solve the boundary dispute between the Turkana and
the Pokot communities.
The Turkana –
Pokot conflict has a long history but in recent days the shrinking of pasture
lands, water and cattle rustling have fueled the problem. Due to the protracted
conflict, the communities in the area have acquired arms which are also
using cattle rustling, kill the so called their enemies and maim innocent
citizens while women and children becoming the victims.
Pokot conflict has a long history but in recent days the shrinking of pasture
lands, water and cattle rustling have fueled the problem. Due to the protracted
conflict, the communities in the area have acquired arms which are also
using cattle rustling, kill the so called their enemies and maim innocent
citizens while women and children becoming the victims.
A total of 75
participants from seven Dioceses: Torit in South Sudan, Kotido and Moroto in
Uganda, Vicariate of Jimma Bonga in Ethiopia; Nakuru, Lodwar, Kitale and Ngong
in Kenya attended the conference.
participants from seven Dioceses: Torit in South Sudan, Kotido and Moroto in
Uganda, Vicariate of Jimma Bonga in Ethiopia; Nakuru, Lodwar, Kitale and Ngong
in Kenya attended the conference.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications and the National Mirror Newspaper (KCCB)
AMECEA Social Communications and the National Mirror Newspaper (KCCB)
