KENYA: Bishops’ Conference Raises Concern on Emerging Issues Affecting the Nation

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Catholic Bishops in Kenya during their ordinary plenary assembly which concluded Thursday, May 27, highlighted issues of concern in the country which need to be addressed encouraging Kenyans that amidst despair and sufferings, they should not to lose hope.

In their collective statement signed by the newly elected Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, the prelates decry closure of places of worship to the public especially during lockdown in the country when “other public places remain open without any restrictions at all.”

“We find it unfair the way some of those charged with enforcing the law disrespect worshippers and places of Worship. If there is anything to be addressed, let it be done in a humane way with maximum respect and care for the life and dignity of every person,” the church leaders said in the statement.

Considering that Covid-19 is still a concern in the country, the bishops urged Kenyans to be each other’s keeper, value life and sacrifice any occasions and interactions that may become a source of spreading or contracting the virus.

“We would like to appeal to our leaders to avoid public and political gatherings that may endanger many people,” they urged political leaders.

Additionally, the bishops decry corruption which also affected Covid19 funds management, stressing that procurement process should be as transparent and accountable as possible, arguing that citizens cannot “afford a new round of embezzlement of resources that were intended for containment of Covid-19 in the country.”

However, they raise concern regarding the standoff between the United States and Kenya governments which has led to scarcity of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV patients, asking the government to speed up solution to the issues preventing release of the ARVs.

“What is at stake are the lives of many Kenyans infected with HIV/AIDS who depend on ARVs,” members of KCCB noted in their communique.

Concerning the proposed changes to the Constitution and 2022 General Elections in the country, the Church leaders have stated that the reaction of some citizens after the High Court nullified the process of amending the 2010 Constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as unconstitutional, illegal, mull and void, “are uncalled for and unacceptable in a civilized society.”

“We call for sobriety in all engagements over the decision of the court to avoid polarizing the country at this difficult time when we are faced with Covid-19 and as we approach the 2022 general elections,” the bishops said, asking all political leaders to “uphold the rule of law and show respect for our institutions as the fate of BBI goes through the court process.”

In regard to restructuring of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and strengthening of the Judiciary prior to the proposed referendum and upcoming 2022 general elections, KCCB members lament the delay on appointment of the 41 judges cleared by the Judicial Service Commission as “creating undue tension between the Judiciary and the Executive.”

The delay they added, has “also severely affected delivery of justice and added to the backlog of unresolved cases due to the heavy workload placed in the hands of the few judges serving in the Court of Appeal.”

The bishops appeal that the process be “expedited to avoid operational hitches that could affect the August 2022 General Elections and that any amicable solution be sorted out between the parties concerned to address areas of contention to avoid crippling the operations of this important court and the entire Judiciary.”

The prelates further addressed issues of insecurity in some parts of the country especially Baringo county within the jurisdiction of Nakuru Diocese saying, “The bandit attacks that has caused displacement of people who are now living in distress away from their homes for fear of repeat attacks is worrying.”

“Human life is a gift from God. No one has a right to take it and no-one’s life is more precious than that of the next person,” the bishops said in their collective statement and warned that the state of anarchy in Baringo region must be stopped and the Government need to support those whose property have been destroyed to enable them reconstruct their lives.”

Besides, they have proposed the need to recover and promote traditional ways of conflict resolution or taking recourse to the law of the land to resolve disputes, due to increased violence that has led to extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and dumping of bodies in forests and rivers.”

“We have to cultivate a culture of dialogue at all levels of our society,” the prelates said and continued, “If left unchecked, we risk perpetuating a culture of intolerance and death.”

The bishops have further called on the Government to “immediately dispatch emergency relief to those affected by floods in parts of the country.

“We also urge people of good will to come to the rescue of their fellow Kenyans with food and non-food support,” the Church leaders appealed adding that they are “concerned that little attention has been given to finding long term solutions to the flooding situation, especially in flood-prone regions.”

In conclusion the bishops raised concern on food security situation in the country disclosing that weather forecast reports precipitate a severe food crisis this year.

According to the bishops in their Thursday statement about 1.4 million Kenyans in the arid and semi-arid areas are already experiencing severe drought.

They appeal to the Government to respond to the emerging drought situation by providing both short-term and long-term assistance to the affected populations to lessen suffering and avert a humanitarian crisis.”