KENYA: ‘Pray for peaceful elections in 2017’, Archbishop Kairo urges
Most Rev. Peter Kairo, Archbishop of Nyeri
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB
Kenyans have been urged to pray for peace and tranquillity as the Nation prepares for the next general election slated for August 2017.
In his homily during the Holy Mass to mark the National Annual Prayer Day at the Marian Shrine Subukia, Nakuru on 8th, October, 2016, Nyeri Archbishop Most Rev. Peter Kairo cautioned Kenyans against repeating the mistakes that led to post election violence in 2007/2008.
Archbishop Kairo encouraged the faithful gathered at the Shrine to pray for fair and truthful general elections, and urged the contestants and political leaders to avoid dividing Kenyans along tribal lines during their campaigns.
He called on the Dioceses to conduct civic education ahead of the general elections to enable Kenyans to vote for the right people without being compromised, “tell other people not to sell their voters cards,” he advised.
Quoting the theme of the day, “The Year of Mercy”, Archbishop Kairo called on all Christians to extend acts of mercy in their various capacities and to be instruments of peace in the nation beginning from the family. The acts of Mercy include; feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick and the homeless, giving alms to the poor and comforting the sorrowful. “Wherever there is a Christian, everyone should find an oasis of Mercy,” he said.
The Holy Mass was officiated by Archbishop Kairo and concelebrated by Chairman of the Kenya Conference of the Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Bishop of Homabay Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, Vice Chairman of KCCB Rt. Rev. John Obala Owaa of Ngong, Nakuru Bishop Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chair of the KCCB-Commission for Liturgy and the Bishop of Lodwar Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, Nyahuru Bishop Joseph Mbatia, Kitui Bishop and the Apostolic Administrator of Machakos Diocese Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria, Maralal Bishop Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante and priests from various dioceses across the country.
The National Annual Prayer Day which brought together more than 20,000 faithfuls from all over the Country, was organised by the Archdiocese of Nyeri in conjunction with the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission for Liturgy and Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate.
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