KENYA: Respect Fundamental Rights and Freedom of Kenyans, says Archbishop Kivuva
Most Rev. Martin Kivuva, Archbishop of Mombasa and Chairman of Catholic Justice and Peace Commission at Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops through the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) has expressed deep concern by the manner in which the self-declared National Resistance Movement (RNM) ‘General’ Dr. Miguna Miguna is being handled and the attack of the journalists who were covering his detention at the Jomo Kenyata International Airport on 26th, March, 2018.
The occurrence followed the arrival of Dr. Miguna Miguna from Canada where he had been deported to after a hotly contested presidential election followed by the swearing in of the opposition leader Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga as the People’s President on 30th January 2018.
In a press statement signed by CJPC Chairman and the Archbishop of Mombasa Most Rev. Martin Kivuva on 3rd, April, 2018, said both acts were against the Constitution and pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans.
In the statement, Archbishop Kivuva advised the members of the Executive to appeal in higher courts whenever they are not satisfied with the rulings and orders of the lower courts instead of completely ignoring and doing the contrary to the orders which is in itself, contempt of court.
Below is the full Statement
Call to Respect Fundamental Rights and Freedom of Kenyans
We the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission are concerned by the events we are witnessing currently in our country. As the Commission whose mandate is to promote justice and peace, we are deeply concerned with the manner in which the case of Dr Miguna Miguna is being handled and the attack of the journalists who were doing their duty of informing the public. This is against the Constitution and a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans.
We have, in previous press statements issued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, called for respect of institutions and we wish to categorically state that the action by the Ministry for Interior and Internal Coordination of failing to adhere to Court orders and openly violating fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans are in contravention of the same Constitution which the government undertook to respect and uphold. We advise the members of the Executive that whenever they are not satisfied with the rulings and orders of the lower courts, they should appeal in higher courts instead of completely ignoring and doing the contrary to the orders; which is in itself, contempt of court.
We further wish to state that the rights as provided for in the Constitution and in the various International instruments ratified by the Kenyan Government guarantee free and responsible press freedom. As a country that professes the rule of law, action should be taken against those police officers who attacked the media personnel. As a Commission, we condemn such unbecoming acts. We also challenge the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service to take their responsibility seriously and act now to bring to a stop the wave of impunity we are currently witnessing. We too call upon the lawyers in Dr. Miguna Miguna’s defense and Government to be truthful and come out clear on the whole saga.
We appeal to our leaders and Kenyans in general to safeguard the opportunity of calmness brought by the coming together of our two political leaders, after the protracted elections that threatened to break our peace and stability. We believe that as we go through these trying moments of our democracy, Kenya will in the long run be stronger than weaker.
Let us take this opportunity of forgiving one another as we rejoice with our Risen Lord. May we dwell in Unity, Peace and Liberty…Justice be Our Shield and Defender. – HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL.
∽End∽
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB
