KENYA: The Visit of Pope Francis Unites Kenyans

Political temperature went down in the
country after the coming of Pope Francis who came up with a very powerful
message of Healing, Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace.

Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka (opposition leaders first and  second from right) during Papal Mass at Nairobi University grounds  on 26 Nov 2015

Already from the first day of his visit you
could tell that all the media diverted from their famous stories centered on
pointed political rivalries between the Jubilee Alliance Party (the ruling
party) and the CORD (the opposition party). The media houses focused on the
messages of the Holy Father that will initiate a stronger sense of unity,
patriotism, leadership of service, care for the poor, especially youth and
women, and care for the environment.

A day before Pope’s visit, President Uhuru Kenyatta
reshuffled his Cabinet. It came at a time when his government was under scrutiny
and criticism over the levels of corruption that has consequently contributed
to rising poverty.

Based from the past experiences, this reshuffle
of the Cabinet could have attracted wide criticism targeting some of the elected
members. This happened when the minds of the Kenyan people were full of
expectation that the coming of the Holy Father would bring God’s blessings on
this land and change. For this reason, the talk about the New Cabinet, both by the
ordinary people as well as political leaders remained unnoticed. Even if it
happened, it did not attract attention of the media because the arrival of the
Holy Father instilled an inner spiritual expectation that his message, which is
meant for all Kenyans and people of the world, would lead people to the experience of God’s presence in their lives. It is that presence of God, which is
characterized by recognition that we are all God’s children, worthy of the
dignity of the human person and have the right to the common good of this
country.

Following some of the conversations on one
of the popular Radio Stations in Nairobi, some of the callers’ sentiments to the visit of
Pope Francis expressed their expectations of what the Holy Father would talk about
rampant corruption, ethnic conflict, terrorism and other evils affecting the
Kenyan people. Others expected that the plight of poverty, especially among the vulnerable group, women, children and youth who are often subjected to exclusion from the wealth of the
country would be strongly addressed.

Bu, immediately after the arrival of Pope
Francis, the mood changed; everybody was keen to listen to his message, to see
him and to some, even touch him if they get a chance. The prophetic presence of Pope Francis, in
his simplicity and but rich with his Gospel moved everyone
to feel the great sense of togetherness around him.

During the reception of the Holy Father at State
House, the Holy Mass at University of Nairobi grounds and interaction with Religious
Leaders and all peoples, the extra-ordinary presence of different political
leaders, ordinary men and women, youth and children, is a testimony that
despite our differences, we can live together as one people. This coming together of the Kenyan people around the Holy Father signifies the importance
of his visit to this country, to proclaim the message of healing, reconciliation,
forgiveness, peace and unity of the children of God.

It is equally amazing to follow the news
and discussions on all the Radio and Television Channels in Kenya as they have
been sharing their experiences of the impact of the visit of Pope Francis in
their personal lives. It was interesting to hear one of the famous radio
presenters saying, “it is better that Pope stays week longer because even news
items in the radio, TV and Newspaper have changed from that of negative
political rivalry and conflicts to that of love, tolerance, collective
responsibility, peace and hope for the better future of our society.”

What we have experienced since Pope
Francis arrived in Kenya reminds me of what Right Rev. Anthony Muheria of the
Catholic Diocese of Kitui and Administrator of Machakos said prior to the
Pope’s arrival. He said that the visit will truely inspire Kenyans to be better people. “Pope Francis’ address to the nation will have
far-reaching impact in a country ravaged by corruption, negative ethnicity and
divisive politics,” said Bishop Muheria adding that “Pope is the voice of
Christ and he will speak to the youth, the poor whom he has a soft spot for,
the leaders and the whole nation, surely that is a flood of grace that will
make our country change and will give us the impulse we need to really change
because we need to change as a Country.” (refer AMECEA Online News of 9th
October 2015).

This impact of the Pope’s presence and his
message here in Kenya should be an inspiration that the country is not going to
be the same. Just as people left their diversity and congregated as brothers
and sisters around Pope Francis, they can journey together to build a
prosperous nation with dignity and for the common God of all the children of God.

All this should be anchored on the message
of the Holy Father that without living the fundamental values of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace, it will be difficult to remain as a united nation with common
aspirations.

Even as the Pope Francis lives this
country, he will continue to pray: Mungu Ibariki Kenya.