KENYA: KCCB Speak Out Over Mpeketoni Killings
The Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops, (KCCB) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission has
raised and expressed the gravest concern over the heinous killings in Mpeketoni
that has claimed over 60 lives of Kenyans.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, (KCCB) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission has
raised and expressed the gravest concern over the heinous killings in Mpeketoni
that has claimed over 60 lives of Kenyans.
In their
message issued on Tuesday, 17 June the Commission stated that it acknowledges
the anger and desperation of Kenyans arising from the spiraling insecurity and
rising tension in the country.
message issued on Tuesday, 17 June the Commission stated that it acknowledges
the anger and desperation of Kenyans arising from the spiraling insecurity and
rising tension in the country.
FULL Statement
A NATION CRYING FOR PEACE
Blessed are the Peace Makers…Mt.
5:9
5:9
The Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission expresses
our deepest condolence and sympathies with the families of Mpeketoni. We
acknowledge the anger and desperation of Kenyans arising from the spiralling
insecurity and rising tension in the country. The heinous killings in Mpeketoni
that has claimed over 50 lives of Kenyans, a massacre that lasted five hours,
sent shock waves across the country and beyond begging the questions: Where was
the security? Where was the intelligence? Where were the police? What happened
to the various road blocks? This is just another indicator of the overgrown
insecurity; which has continuously repeated itself over and over again. Similar
situations have been witnessed in Bungoma, Busia, Wajir, Mombasa and others. It
seems our security agencies have failed to unearth and prevent a single
attempt.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission expresses
our deepest condolence and sympathies with the families of Mpeketoni. We
acknowledge the anger and desperation of Kenyans arising from the spiralling
insecurity and rising tension in the country. The heinous killings in Mpeketoni
that has claimed over 50 lives of Kenyans, a massacre that lasted five hours,
sent shock waves across the country and beyond begging the questions: Where was
the security? Where was the intelligence? Where were the police? What happened
to the various road blocks? This is just another indicator of the overgrown
insecurity; which has continuously repeated itself over and over again. Similar
situations have been witnessed in Bungoma, Busia, Wajir, Mombasa and others. It
seems our security agencies have failed to unearth and prevent a single
attempt.
At this
time, we remind ourselves that we are Kenyans. Not only do we have rights but
also responsibilities to ourselves and to each other. It is our responsibility
as Kenyans to be our brothers or sisters keeper. Our President has reminded us
over and over again that “security is our shared concern. It must start from
you and me”. Our country can only be secure if we appreciate our diversity,
adhere to the rule of law, and respect each other. In Pope Francis words,…what
we are called to respect in each person is first of all his life, his physical
integrity, his dignity and rights deriving from that dignity, his reputation,
his property, his ethnic and cultural identity, his ideas and his political
choices. We are therefore called to think, speak and write respectfully of the
other, not only in his presence, but always and everywhere, avoiding unfair
criticism.
time, we remind ourselves that we are Kenyans. Not only do we have rights but
also responsibilities to ourselves and to each other. It is our responsibility
as Kenyans to be our brothers or sisters keeper. Our President has reminded us
over and over again that “security is our shared concern. It must start from
you and me”. Our country can only be secure if we appreciate our diversity,
adhere to the rule of law, and respect each other. In Pope Francis words,…what
we are called to respect in each person is first of all his life, his physical
integrity, his dignity and rights deriving from that dignity, his reputation,
his property, his ethnic and cultural identity, his ideas and his political
choices. We are therefore called to think, speak and write respectfully of the
other, not only in his presence, but always and everywhere, avoiding unfair
criticism.
Political situation in Kenya
1. While the
Catholic Church acknowledges the reality of divergent opinion in human society;
it is also conscious of having conflict management and the need for resolution
mechanism as means to addressing the difference. While all that abides, the
current stand of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Jubilee
Coalition is not healthy in promoting national peace, cohesion and national
unity. The initial acceptance of national dialogue by the head of State
President Uhuru Kenyatta was worth applauding, but its subsequent rejection by
some of the Jubilee members is regrettable. The continuous call by CORD for a
national dialogue can only be appreciated if it will be beneficial for the
country.
Catholic Church acknowledges the reality of divergent opinion in human society;
it is also conscious of having conflict management and the need for resolution
mechanism as means to addressing the difference. While all that abides, the
current stand of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Jubilee
Coalition is not healthy in promoting national peace, cohesion and national
unity. The initial acceptance of national dialogue by the head of State
President Uhuru Kenyatta was worth applauding, but its subsequent rejection by
some of the Jubilee members is regrettable. The continuous call by CORD for a
national dialogue can only be appreciated if it will be beneficial for the
country.
The call for
the national Saba Saba conference without government leaders will not auger
well for the expected national cohesion, peace, stability and security for our
Nation. Without prejudice to the article 33 of the Constitution, on freedom of
expression; Kenya needs preliminary committees for consultation on each of the
national issues and the composition of the committees should be balanced from
each side of the political divide to establish the feasibility of the national
dialogue. The committees in some circumstance can bring together all
stakeholders including the religious leaders and private sector. The Jubilee
government should make efforts to reach out to the opposition for the benefit
of the country. We are appealing to the two political divides to display
political maturity and to put the interest of the country before their own
coalitions interests. All stakeholders are ready to meet with all those
interested in seeking genuine dialogue for the sake of the common Kenyan.
the national Saba Saba conference without government leaders will not auger
well for the expected national cohesion, peace, stability and security for our
Nation. Without prejudice to the article 33 of the Constitution, on freedom of
expression; Kenya needs preliminary committees for consultation on each of the
national issues and the composition of the committees should be balanced from
each side of the political divide to establish the feasibility of the national
dialogue. The committees in some circumstance can bring together all
stakeholders including the religious leaders and private sector. The Jubilee
government should make efforts to reach out to the opposition for the benefit
of the country. We are appealing to the two political divides to display
political maturity and to put the interest of the country before their own
coalitions interests. All stakeholders are ready to meet with all those
interested in seeking genuine dialogue for the sake of the common Kenyan.
2. Kenya is
witnessing a threatening political situation similar to the build-up to the
2007 General elections which culminated to the 2007/2008 post elections
violence. We can never again as a county, take things for granted. The Church
and the rest of Kenyans do not wish to see the same situation of 2007/08 repeat
itself. We only have one Kenya, and we must guard it jealously.
witnessing a threatening political situation similar to the build-up to the
2007 General elections which culminated to the 2007/2008 post elections
violence. We can never again as a county, take things for granted. The Church
and the rest of Kenyans do not wish to see the same situation of 2007/08 repeat
itself. We only have one Kenya, and we must guard it jealously.
Insecurity situation in Kenya
3. We are
witnessing numerous frightening challenges, including terrorist attacks, influx
of refugees from embattled neighbours, entrenched corruption, re-emergence of
militia groups/gangs, high cost of living, ethnic violence and general
insecurity.
witnessing numerous frightening challenges, including terrorist attacks, influx
of refugees from embattled neighbours, entrenched corruption, re-emergence of
militia groups/gangs, high cost of living, ethnic violence and general
insecurity.
4. From the
outset, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops-Catholic Justice and Peace
Commission reiterate its deepest concern over the deteriorating security
situation which continues to impact negatively on the enjoyment of peace and
human rights in Kenya. We join other Kenyans in expressing our heartfelt
condolences and solidarity with the victims of terror attacks, brutal killings,
ethnic violence and general incidences of insecurity.
outset, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops-Catholic Justice and Peace
Commission reiterate its deepest concern over the deteriorating security
situation which continues to impact negatively on the enjoyment of peace and
human rights in Kenya. We join other Kenyans in expressing our heartfelt
condolences and solidarity with the victims of terror attacks, brutal killings,
ethnic violence and general incidences of insecurity.
5. We are
alive to the immense challenges that the government faces in combating
insecurity and violent crime that continues to abound. While supporting the
on-going efforts by the state to combat crime especially terrorism, it is worth
noting that the greatest threat to our security is corruption in the security
sector that has made it too easy for foreigners to penetrate our borders.
alive to the immense challenges that the government faces in combating
insecurity and violent crime that continues to abound. While supporting the
on-going efforts by the state to combat crime especially terrorism, it is worth
noting that the greatest threat to our security is corruption in the security
sector that has made it too easy for foreigners to penetrate our borders.
6. It is
notable that ethnic violence and killings that have been witnessed in the
recent past (Wajir, and Kisumu-Kericho Counties) to mention a few, have
undertones of political manipulation of ethnic identities, combined with
economic drivers of conflict (such as inequality, poverty, land rights,
unemployment and historical grievances which are easily exploited and have been
at the root of ethnic violence in killings being witnessed today.
notable that ethnic violence and killings that have been witnessed in the
recent past (Wajir, and Kisumu-Kericho Counties) to mention a few, have
undertones of political manipulation of ethnic identities, combined with
economic drivers of conflict (such as inequality, poverty, land rights,
unemployment and historical grievances which are easily exploited and have been
at the root of ethnic violence in killings being witnessed today.
Recommendations
7. In view
of the foregoing, the Catholic Church recommends the following;
of the foregoing, the Catholic Church recommends the following;
• The
national government to rethink its security measures and policing to match the
ever dynamic insecurity challenges
national government to rethink its security measures and policing to match the
ever dynamic insecurity challenges
• The
national government ought to reorganize and re-orient the national
intelligences to focus more on collecting criminal intelligence as opposed to
political intelligence.
national government ought to reorganize and re-orient the national
intelligences to focus more on collecting criminal intelligence as opposed to
political intelligence.
• The security
organs ought to be pro-active to insecurity situation to prevent possible
criminal activities than being reactive which often leads to arbitrary arrests,
detection and abuse of human rights
organs ought to be pro-active to insecurity situation to prevent possible
criminal activities than being reactive which often leads to arbitrary arrests,
detection and abuse of human rights
• It is
important for the government to pursue and conclude the Police reforms agenda
as informed by the constitution and the other relevant laws
important for the government to pursue and conclude the Police reforms agenda
as informed by the constitution and the other relevant laws
• The
government should pursue ways and means to address some of the longstanding
issues including economic drivers of conflict (youth unemployment, poverty,
exclusion, land rights and historical grievances)
government should pursue ways and means to address some of the longstanding
issues including economic drivers of conflict (youth unemployment, poverty,
exclusion, land rights and historical grievances)
• The
political class ought to work for Kenyans and to stop manipulating ethnic
identity and fuelling conflict that sometimes lead to loss of lives
political class ought to work for Kenyans and to stop manipulating ethnic
identity and fuelling conflict that sometimes lead to loss of lives
• The
government and the opposition coalitions should focus more on what benefits the
Kenyan citizens in terms of peace, development and unity.
government and the opposition coalitions should focus more on what benefits the
Kenyan citizens in terms of peace, development and unity.
• The
government to reach out to the opposition to have amicable solutions to the
current standoff. The government in response to reach out, ought to put in
place committees on all national issues as a precursor to the national
dialogue. The composition of the committees should be balanced; with a
multi-sectorial approach that will bring on board the religious leaders, the
private sector, civil society, Business based committees, Ethnic based
committees and academicians. These committees should visit some of the areas we
have witnessed instances of rampant insecurity like areas like Mpeketoni,
Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Mombasa, Kisumu – Kericho borders, Busia, Bungoma,
West Pokot/Turkana borders, Nairobi – Eastleigh.
government to reach out to the opposition to have amicable solutions to the
current standoff. The government in response to reach out, ought to put in
place committees on all national issues as a precursor to the national
dialogue. The composition of the committees should be balanced; with a
multi-sectorial approach that will bring on board the religious leaders, the
private sector, civil society, Business based committees, Ethnic based
committees and academicians. These committees should visit some of the areas we
have witnessed instances of rampant insecurity like areas like Mpeketoni,
Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Mombasa, Kisumu – Kericho borders, Busia, Bungoma,
West Pokot/Turkana borders, Nairobi – Eastleigh.
• Both the
coalitions should be tolerant and accommodate each other for the sake of the
Nation. The Church and other stakeholders are ready to mediate.
coalitions should be tolerant and accommodate each other for the sake of the
Nation. The Church and other stakeholders are ready to mediate.
8. In
conclusion, the Catholic Church wishes to state that the rising tension between
the government and the opposition is causing panic and anxiety to the general
public. It is necessary for the government and the opposition to find other
amicable ways and means to settle their differences. We appeal to all Kenyans
to uphold peace at all times. Divided we fall and in unity, we stand. May we
dwell in Peace and Unity.
conclusion, the Catholic Church wishes to state that the rising tension between
the government and the opposition is causing panic and anxiety to the general
public. It is necessary for the government and the opposition to find other
amicable ways and means to settle their differences. We appeal to all Kenyans
to uphold peace at all times. Divided we fall and in unity, we stand. May we
dwell in Peace and Unity.
Issued by
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops –
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops –
Catholic
Justice and Peace Commission.
Justice and Peace Commission.
Signed:
Most Rev.
Zacchaeus Okoth
Zacchaeus Okoth
Chairman,
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Rt. Rev.
Cornelius Arap Korir
Cornelius Arap Korir
Vice
Chairman, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Chairman, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Rt. Rev.
Martin Kivuva Musonde
Martin Kivuva Musonde
Member,
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
