KENYA: ‘SITUATION OF OUR NATION’ – A Press Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Kenya

KENYA CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS

KENYA CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT

Waumini House, Westlands

P.O. Box 13475 – 00800,
airobi

SITUATION OF OUR NATION

“For
what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For
what can a man give in return for his life” (Mk 8:36-37).

1. INTRODUCTION

Dear
Brothers and Sisters, we the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, gathered for our
Ordinary Plenary Assembly of Bishops, at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Nairobi,
greet you in the words of the Risen Christ on that Easter evening, “Peace
be with you”. As we take time to reflect on the life and mission of the
Church, we have also had time to reflect on the state of our Nation and
therefore, as your shepherds, wish to raise our voice on several
issues that are of great concern to all of us.

The
visit of His Holiness Pope Francis is still fresh in our minds. The experience
of his visit is unforgettable. His example of humility, his powerful and bold
message to all Kenyans, his concern for young people of this nation, the
poorest of the poor in our slums, and indeed the care of our environment are
experiences that will forever shape and transform our society. As we embrace
and live the excitement of this visit, the task of building on the foundation
of his message must be sustained with greater enthusiasm.

We
are eternally grateful for his ever first and historic visit. Kenyans must feel
blessed and encouraged by this visit. We sincerely thank the Holy Father for
choosing Kenya as the first stop in his Apostolic visit to Africa. Our message
to you dear Kenyans, taking the encouraging words of the Holy Father,
“Stand strong in Faith, Do not be afraid” is contained in this
reflection on the state of our beloved Country Kenya.

“You
shall be my Witnesses”, (Acts 1:8) for the Sanctification and Salvation of
all People.

2.
OUR NATIONAL FOUNDATION

When
our forefathers and all those who struggled for the birth of this great Nation
of Kenya fought for our independence, they dreamt of a sovereign Nation where
all will have equal opportunities to develop, prosper and live in dignity freed
from the scourges of poverty, diseases and illiteracy. This vision was not only
for themselves and their children but for all generations to come.

They
dreamt of a Country guided by visionary leaders who would have the welfare of
the entire Country at heart; National Leaders of integrity who would rise above
petty personal and ethnic interests so as to forge a united Nation that would
shine among other Nations as a place of peace, prosperity and integrity. Our
founding fathers expected those who would come after them to keep the dream
alive and move the Country forward to

even
greater heights.

What
we need to ask ourselves now is: Is our Country heading in the right direction
that will bring development and prosperity to all Kenyans? Have things in Kenya
developed the way our founders envisaged or are there serious shortcomings and
pitfalls that need to be addressed urgently? Are the present leaders we have
living up to the standards required so as to deliver the promises made and meet
the aspirations of all Kenyans?

Without
doubt there are some strides made towards the right direction. However, a quick
glance at the present situation of our Country reveals some dangerous trends
and practices that should make everyone who has this country at heart concerned
and wonder whether those principles and ideals that our forefathers fought and
gave their lives for are not going down the drain.

3. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT (ICC) RULING

During
our Plenary Assembly we received the news of the outcome of the ICC case
involving our Deputy President and a Journalist. As Catholic Bishops, we see
the ruling, not as an outcome of winners and losers.

However,
the outcome of the ruling does not resolve the cause and pain of the violence.
We realize that the trauma of the post-election violence has not been fully
healed. Moreover, many of the displaced persons still have not gotten justice.
Our appeal to the National Government and other County Governments, is to offer
solutions for the victims, through compensations and plans of reconciliation
and integration. This is an opportunity for Kenya to sincerely demonstrate its
commitment of NEVER again to take the Country back to the dark days of
2007/2008, to be more conscious of the plight of the victims, to invest more in
building true reconciliation and work towards a truly united Nation. It must
never be forgotten that many people lost their lives; thousands more were displaced
and have never gone back to normal life. In this Year of the Jubilee of Mercy,
Kenya has the opportunity to initiate a new beginning. This must be our concern
and our focus.

4. CORRUPTION: A DISEASE
THAT IS MAKING US A SICK NATION

The
cancer of corruption is killing our Country. The ordinary men and women are
bearing the burden of corruption. The majority of Kenyans are wallowing in
poverty and are unable to meet their basic needs. They don’t have access to
proper medical care. They lack adequate educational facilities and enough
teachers for quality education. The youth see no future because of unemployment
and even where there is the possibility of jobs they have to pay bribes and kickbacks
to secure those jobs. Similarly, unless they know somebody high up nobody will
consider them. The daily revelations and exposure of corrupt deals and stealing
of money from public coffers by top Government officials, paints a picture of
how low we have sunk as a Country. The fact that the cancer has spread to all arms
of government and is going on in both national and County Governments, as well
as other sectors of the Kenyan society, tempts one to despair and to give up
without a fight. We can’t give up. Now is the time to rise and face this
malignant disease with all the weapons we have.

Pope
Francis, during his visit to Kenya last year decried this sickness and pointed
out that the only way to root out corruption is by each one of us saying
“Non to corruption. The Pope called upon all of us to declare war on
corruption and fight to the end.

Corruption
cannot be weeded out by half-hearted measures. It has to be a total war using
all the means that we have as a Country. Nobody should be spared beginning from
the top to the bottom, the mighty or the least, those who have and those who have
not. All those mentioned as kingpins of corruption must be investigated and
prosecuted when facts are proven. Those holding public positions and linked
with corruption must step aside immediately to pave way for investigation.

5. STEALING OF EXAMINATION
PAPERS AND CHEATING IN SCHOOLS

The
Examination leakages, the selling of examination papers and sharing these
examination papers witnessed last year constituted one of the worst forms of
corruption that this Country has ever experienced. Cheating in exams has far
reaching consequences not only for our education system but the integrity of
the Country itself. The people involved in this racket have punctured the
integrity of our education. Stealing examination papers will kill the reading
culture of our students and make meaningless

their
effort to study and the quest for knowledge that is at the heart of learning.

All
those officials involved in the racket should not only be sacked but should be
brought to book and punished accordingly for this is a crime against our
beloved Nation and a crime against the future of the children of this Country.

It
is incumbent upon the new Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Board to
redeem the image and dignity of our education standards.

6. JUDICIARY AND INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION
(IEBC)

We
are appalled by the information that those very institutions that bear the most
necessary responsibilities of our Country are now rotting away with corruption.
Allegations of corruption have been levelled against the Judiciary, and what is
more, against the highest Court in the land, the Supreme Court. So where do we
go for justice?

The
Election process is one of the most important activities of any country, to
promote good governance and democracy. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries
Commission is such an important institution to oversee this process, that when
it is also riddled with corruption and incompetence, then our democracy and
future growth of this nation is in danger. There is need on the part of all of
us and especially those involved to make them more effective in accordance with
the constitution in order to restore their credibility and confidence.

THE POLICE

The
endemic corruption in the Police Service and other security agencies is yet another
of those diseases that have eaten into the fabric of our Nation, thereby
exposing Kenyans to the perennial threats of terrorism, insecurity and
violence. This is clearly obvious to Kenyans in the bribes exchanged at police
check points and stations. Our borders are not

secure,
our roads are mere collection points, our towns and villages are not safe.
Kenyans do not feel safe.

Kenyans!
give no bribe, receive no bribe!

POLITICAL LEADERS

If
the very institutions constitutionally appointed to oversee the affairs of Kenyans
are now deeply involved in the disease of corruption and the rot of our nation,
then we are left wondering to whom to turn. If the very legislators elected to
represent the Kenyans, in formulating policies of developing lives are
accomplices in Corruption, shuttling around the country, making inciting
statements that raise political temperatures especially when elections are
near, then our country is sick. We must put an end to this. We, the Catholic
Bishops wish to raise our voices to our political leaders and say, this must
stop. Let us stop bleeding our Country to death. As your shepherds we are not going
to allow our Churches and institutions to become platforms of political
rhetoric, campaign venues, foul language and hideouts for looted funds and
corrupt monies. We

appeal
to the consciences of all our leaders, those heading constitutional commissions,
institutions and bodies, our leaders in the executive, the Judiciary and the
legislature to seriously remember the duty incumbent upon them and to realize
that this is our Country. We are all part of it. If it sinks, we sink together.

7. RADICAL ETHNICITY

While
tribalism has been a problem in Kenya, the way ethnicity is being radicalized
today is very worrying. This is clearly seen in political alliances that are
not so much based on the coming together of like- minded individuals or groups
but on bringing together various tribes so that they can vote as blocs. It is
also evident whenever an action is taken

against
an individual, who has done some malpractices, immediately the cry is heard
that he or she is being punished, or removed, because he or she comes from that
tribe or the other. Another area that tribalism is being practiced without
shame is in the Counties. To be employed in the County one has to come from the
dominant tribe or clan. Some Kenyans are being termed as minorities in some Counties
hence tribalism has been devolved and is now entrenched in the Counties. We are
now looking at everything from the prism of ethnicity.

8. CULTURAL RADICALIZATION
OF THE YOUTH

In
the recent past, we have witnessed an alarming rate of the radicalization of
youths into dangerous groups and activities that have created insecurity and
deviant behaviour. The information that many young people are being lured into
events and activities that expose them to immorality and cultural decadence is
worrying us all. We are seeing a culture that endorses immorality spreading all
over the Country. We note with sadness the use of indecent and vulgar language by
those who are in position of leadership. This is giving a bad example to the
young people. What is more worrying is the organized corruption of

the
youth through bribery, supply of drugs and promotion of sexual immorality in
designated places. Parents seem to have abdicated their parental role and
neglected the upbringing of their children in the morally accepted ways.

We
are concerned that while we witness this decadence there is a tendency to
conveniently side-line religion in schools, and the role of the Church in our
Education institutions. We condemn very strongly those who corrupt the youth by
distributing money and drugs. We are consequently moving towards a Godless
society, where there is no regard for all objective roles that characterize a
civilized Nation.

As
your shepherds, we call upon you the young people of Kenya, to heed the
powerful message of Pope Francis at Kasarani. You must not waste your lives. Do
not give in to the devil. Look to Christ as your model and refuse to be lured
by the passing pleasures of this world. As your shepherds we commit ourselves
to journey with’ you and help you to have

hope
and recognize your dignity. We urge all those who work with and for the young
people to help them cherish their hopes and aspirations.

9. “THE LOVE OF MONEY
IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF EVIL” (1 Tim. 6: 10)

Our
society has turned money into a god. Some People tend to live for money and
their philosophy is to have as much money as possible, as quickly as possible
and in any way possible. The madness to make more and more money is permeating
all levels of our society. Those entrusted with National and County resources are
plundering these resources without blinking an eye. We call upon the citizens
of this Country to be

vigilant
and expose all the thieves who should then be made to return the money they
have stolen and made to face the law.

CONCLUSION

Dear
Kenyans, we encourage you not to lose hope. Christ has gained victory over
despair. We must never slacken in our determination to make Kenya a home for
all of us. Let us all fight the evil within us, let us commit ourselves
individually and collectively to reject any form of corruption that is
destroying our social fabric. We urge all God loving people, of all religions,
faiths and confessions, to take the lead in fighting evil. As your Church
leaders we are prepared to join and support efforts to create a society of
love, peace and integrity. May the message of Pope Francis burn within the
hearts of all people of Kenya like the Emmaus Disciples and inspire us into
action.

As
we conclude we pray invoking the Prayer of Pope Francis to the Jubilee of
Mercy, “that the Lord may send his Spirit and consecrate every one of us
with its anointing so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the
Lord, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim
liberty to captives and the oppressed and restore sight to the blind.”

Signed: Rt Rev. Phillip
Anyolo

Chairman
–Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops/Homa Bay

Date:
April 8th 2016

Rt.
Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Vice Chairman- (KCCB)/Ngong

His
Eminence John Cardinal Njue, Nairobi

Most
Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth, Kisumu

Most
Rev. Peter Kairo, Nyeri

Most
Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, Mombasa

Rt.
Rev. Cornelius Arap Korir, Eldoret

Rt.
Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa, Kisii

Rt.
Rev. Alfred Rotich, Military Ordinariate

Rt.
Rev. Maurice Crowley, Kitale