KENYA: Ahead of Kenya’s General Elections, KCCB Secretary General Calls for Continuous, Long Term Civic Education

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

The Secretary General for Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Very Rev. Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo has challenged the concept of offering civic education to citizens when elections are nearing, calling for a continuous and long-term education so citizenry can be well informed early enough with adequate knowledge for proper decision making and active participation when it comes to elections.

Sharing with AMECEA Online the reason as to why most actors in the country get concerned about the youths and vulnerable being misled and influenced by politicians when elections are nearing, the General Secretary of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Fr. Lugonzo said it is because of “lack of long-term civic education to these groups.”

“In this country, people talk about preparations for elections just some months to the elections, at the same time the media call on youths to stay aloof from violence,” the Kenyan cleric shared his observation and continued, “Yes, this is valid but as a nation, we need to have a long-term plan on how to educate the citizenry including the youths and the vulnerable on what elections means for a county. When this civic education is offered sporadically, I don’t think we benefit. ”

He highlighted that many youths are manipulated and that the majority of them re school drop outs and jobless.

“By offering civic education) when elections are just around the corner, it will be hard to convince them not to be manipulated and that is why we need to embark on continuous purposeful approach and better ways to empower the youths on means of sustainability so they may not be easily manipulated,” Fr. Lugonzo expressed.

Concerning preparedness of the Kenya Church to help avoid conflicts during and after elections as previously observed in the country, the KCCB’s General Secretary appreciated the efforts of the bishops in proclaiming peace to the citizens and all people of good will.

“For the last two years or so, the Church is very much aware that political atmosphere in the country is not right. This is evidenced by the pockets of violence already experienced in different parts of the country,” Fr. Lugonzo the former Secretary General of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) revealed.

He continued highlighting the prelates’ actions on this saying: “The bishops have been very deliberate in their last statements, conscientizing people about the volatile environment as they call on people to deliberately choose peace and know how to live with their neighbors peacefully and in harmony.”

Fr. Lugonzo further revealed that the Church has already carried out a survey on areas experiencing frequent conflicts and the findings “have already been shared with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of Government. There are times when the bishops have involved themselves in preaching peace among warring counties.”

At a higher level, the General Secretary explained, “the bishops have engaged the rightful offices and authorities including the presidency and the Electoral Commission to see how best they prepared to avoid any possible conflict during and after elections. At the same time the Church is fully on the ground alerting the people and creating awareness among possible warrying communities.”

Amidst the positive move being taken by the Church, the Kenyan cleric said, “The traditional challenge has been the heavy hands of politicians in the issue of violence.”

“When politicians get involved in bringing about violence among communities, it becomes a big challenge for this is the time that even money is used,” Fr. Lugonzo revealed and added that “when fighting forces that have money and power it becomes difficult to sell one’s agenda.”