KENYA: Ahead of 2022 General Elections, Christians Asked to Advocate for Peace, Promote Good Neighbourliness During Lenten Campaign
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) in its 2022 Lenten campaign booklet, has called on Catholics and all people of God to champion peace and promote good neighbourliness during Lenten campaign period as the country looks forward to its General elections in August, an exercise which normally brings “tension and poses a risk to our national cohesion.”
“We must not forget where we have come from. We have in the past lost lives including those of children. People have been displaced, others maimed and suffered mental illnesses, especially in 2007/8 (elections) following the bitterly contested presidential poll outcome,” the bishops decry in their Lenten booklet released a head of the season adding that, “The subsequent general elections of 2013 and 2017 were not without their own challenges.”
“It hurts us to remember such events and we must resolve to guard against any formation or person who will disturb our peace,” reads part of the preface message signed by the Chairman for KCCB’s Commission for Promotion of Integral Human Development (CPIHD), Catholic Justice and Peace Department Bishop John Oballa Owaa.
In regard to the Bishops Conference’ peace agenda, all people should walk together in ensuring a peaceful election regardless of the winners. They reminded the people of God that “Elections come and go” and that “Our past bears dark spots that we do not want to carry into the future (hence) our lives must not be disrupted by events, important as they may be.”
Highlighting some of the thematic areas of concern in the society that all Christians and people of goodwill need to pray over and join in addressing as they advocate for change during the five weeks of prayer, repentance, alms giving and self-denial, Bishop Oballa of Ngong Diocese said on behalf of the Church leaders, “By joining the bishops in advocacy, individual efforts, our small voices become much louder and each individual’s action is multiplied.”
Speaking about “Civic Responsibility,” KCCB noted that it is a vital area of concern associated with democratic governance and social participation and “includes taking part in development activities of the government, the Church and community to improve the people’s welfare.”
This they said, is to be done “through a robust civic and peace education to our people who are eligible to vote and to the agents responsible for ensuring justice and peace during campaigns, the voting day and after the results are announced.”
On matters of “Respect for the Rule of Law by all,” which is the foundation to access public services, curb corruption and promote equality and equity in the distribution of resources in the country, the bishops said, “It is one of the key determinants of the quality of a country and its governance.”
Concerning human trafficking which has become a “barbaric behaviour” at this time of history, Church leaders said in reference to young men and women are being trafficked across the seas to work as labourers but end up as slaves, that it is “within our powers as Christians to work with the Government and anti-human trafficking agencies to ensure that our youth do not fall prey to this black market business.” Hence the issues “applies to everyone, rich or poor.”
During the Lenten period set to be launched on Saturday, February 26, in Nairobi Archdiocese as Catholics anticipate to commence the intense season from Wednesday, March 2, Christians are reminded of the significance of food security in the country.
“It is a shame that in the 21st century, millions of Kenyans still struggle to have a meal a day,” the Bishops bemoan, acknowledging that “God has blessed us with fertile land, hardworking citizens and a favourable ecological system for production of enough food for everyone.”
“Our challenge, unfortunately, is that we have depleted forests, carried out illegal logging, constructed on riparian land and intensified human activities on lands that should be left to provide us with fresh air, especially in urban areas,” they revealed stressing Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si, that calls on all people “to remember that we have a duty to take care of our Mother Earth.”
“Climate change is real. We have to work together to ensure we do not corrupt nature, which in turn will treat us harshly,” reads an excerpt of the message as it continues, “It is possible to find ways of rebuilding our ecosystem for not only ourselves but also for future generations.”
The Bishops in their 2022 Lenten campaign themed, “Unity in diversity; promoting good neighbourliness,” also focused on how the youth should be a core component of our civic and peace education programme.
“We have seen in the past how political aspirants rally young people to do the dirty work of insulting opponents, attacking perceived enemies and harming innocent people,” the bishops said and underscored, “It is our responsibility as a Church to ensure our youth play a positive role as young citizens who hold their future in their hands,” knowing “they have the energy to promote peace and love among political camps with different ideologies.”
The prelates invite all Catholics to use this Lenten season “to pray for peace and harmony in the country and engage in activities that will truly guarantee both national unity and promote good neighbourliness.”
