KENYA: Bishops upload Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga for reconciling
The Bishops of Kenya have acknowledged the gesture of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, in meeting and extending hands of reconciliation among themselves as a sign of their commitment in collaborating towards uniting the deeply divided and polarized Country.
Delivering a press statement at the Queen of Apostles Clergy House in Nairobi on 14th, March, 2018, The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo said the public gesture of reconciliation and their desire to move the Country forward following the year-long electioneering campaigns last year is obviously a relief to many Kenyans.
Bishop of Ngong, Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, KCCB Chairman and
Bishop of Homabay and H.E. John Cardinal Njue,
Archbishop of Nairobi during the press conference in Nairobi
“We, therefore, laud this gesture and hope that it is an opening to a greater commitment towards seeking real solutions to a more just, democratic and prosperous Country where every Citizen has an opportunity to develop. This gesture also enhances our conviction that dialogue is possible,” Bishop Anyolo who is the Local ordinary for Homabay Diocese said.
He reminded Kenyans that as Bishops they have in the past called on all leaders and stakeholders to employ constructive dialogue as the only way of resolving conflict adding that Kenya has gone through very trying moments.
“With this latest development we believe it is only the beginning of charting out the path that gives room to everybody to engage in uniting and reconciling Kenyans. This beginning should now accommodate all stakeholders and Kenyans and be open to addressing all the issues that are of concern to this Country. We see the new found collaboration of the two leaders as creating the environment for this dialogue,” he stressed.
The Bishops promised their committed to pursuing the path of national dialogue through an inclusive participatory process from the grassroots to the national level. “To achieve this, during the Lenten Campaign launch on February 10th 2018 in Kisumu, we initiated the process by commissioning our Christians beginning with the Small Christian Communities to reflect on issues affecting our country.”
The bishops through Rt. Rev. Anyolo urged all leaders across the political divide to support the path so that it does not remain a public relation exercise or a show of two individuals. “As this goes on, it is very important to recognize the role of the opposition in any democratic society, to check on the government for better service delivery. We still emphasize that at all times and in all situations there must always remain the respect for the rule of law and institutions,” he said.
He also said that the state of insecurity in some parts of the country was also of great concern to the Bishops. “Recently, there were incidents of insecurity in Mount Elgon and in parts of Northern and Coastal regions. The government has a primary mandate to protect its people and must therefore ensure people live without fear as they go about their daily endeavors,” he said.
The however thanked all Kenyans for their continued prayers and maintaining peace even at critical moments of the recent past. We pray that God blesses Kenya and God blesses our people. In anticipation we wish each one of you a happy Easter and the joy of the resurrected Christ.
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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications
