KENYA: KCCB’s Message of Hope to the Church and the People of Kenya
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) continue to pray for Kenya that, as a Nation under God, may be of the same mind and spirit at all times having observed the recent happenings mainly instigated by political interests at the expense of innocent Kenyans.
In their Pastoral Letter Signed by KCCB Chairman and the Bishop of Homabay Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, the Bishops said, the unending election standoff has worsened the economic and social conditions of Kenyans adding that, the Country is getting more and more divided along political and ethnic lines.
“The anxiety our children experience every day as regards to their exams, the travellers that are afraid to travel because of demonstrations. During the mass action activities along the streets, citizens are living in fear that they will be teargassed or shot at or raped and their properties looted. Millions are suffering because of the ongoing drought in some parts of our Country. Our nurses and health workers have been on strike and patients are suffering across the nation, the state of the economy is worsening and remains unaddressed. We call for an end to this neglect and abandonment of the lives and affairs of our people. As Catholic Bishops, this cannot continue to happen under our watch,” the statement read.
With the knowledge that the Supreme Court nullified the Presidential Election on September 1 2017 and that IEBC has set a new date for the fresh Presidential Election for October 26, 2017, the bishops said that, amidst all these concerns, anxiety and challenges, they are convinced that God is with the people of Kenya, expressing hope that, the current crisis can offer Kenya an opportunity to carry out honest dialogue about the underlying unresolved grievances, concerns and anguish.
They urged all Catholics, Christians and Kenyans of good will to approach the election with calm and restraint and to turn out and exercise their democratic right peacefully If the election on October 26th goes on as scheduled adding that if for any reason the election is reschedule Kenyans should remain calm and peaceful knowing well that the institutions responsible for giving direction are well able to offer the new direction.
The Catholic Bishops and other Religious leaders have been offering leadership and are engaged with all the political parties and stakeholders in the electoral processes. Because of the gravity of the crisis the Country is in at the moment, they have chosen to convene, facilitate and mediate high level talks on resolving the political crisis so that we steer the Country to stability and cohesion, revealing that they shall in concurrence with H.E The President, Uhuru Kenyatta and the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and their political coalitions agree on the agenda of the National Dialogue.
The Bishops called on all Kenyans to desist from any act of violence saying that, the only way forward is to dialogue as they promise commitment to resolving the current political stalemate.
“God has given us only one Country, our Nation Kenya, and it is upon every Kenyan to stand firm and say no to anything that will take us away from the peace and the Country that God has given us,” they said.
Recently during “National Prayer Day at Subukia”, the Bishops consecrated the Nation to God and to Mother Mary with the assurance that, God will never permit His children to perish. They therefore call upon all to use the weapon of prayer, the weapon of good will and love of neighbour. Catholics in particular have been called upon to pray the Rosary as a weapon of peace, during this month of the Holy Rosary and beyond.
By Rose Achiego
