KENYA: Religious Leaders in Kenya Urge IEBC, National Police to Dialogue, Resolve Issues Ahead of Elections
A section of Religious leaders
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
In just few days for Kenya to hold its General elections, Religious leaders from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) in collaboration with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) have called on government bodies to dialogue and solve issues amicably.
“We have followed the accusations and counter-accusations between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)…We advise the IEBC and the National Police Service to dialogue over the subject issue with dignity, national respect and public trust,” Religious leaders said in a statement read by the KCCB Chairman for Catholic Justice and Peace Department Bishop John Oballa Owaa.
They stressed that the security of the nation and the elections is very crucial, and should not be processed through the media, adding that, “Church leaders are ready and available to mediate.”
The concern by Religious leaders arose following an ongoing contention between the IEBC and the DCI over ballot papers that arrived in the country for use in the August 9, general elections.
Besides the IEBC and DCI, Religious leaders asked all institutions and agencies that have a role in the elections to “embrace dialogue, avoid creating anxiety in the country and promote peace and national cohesion before, during and after the elections.”
Additionally, they called upon all ministries, departments and agencies playing a role in the general elections “to use the Multi Sectoral approach (since) no agency can deliver free and fair elections on its own.”
Emphasizing transparency and accountability in the realization of a credible election, the Religious leaders said in the statement co-signed by Bishop Oballa and NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui that, the nation yearns for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections which can only be realized when “Each of us play their role in a transparent and accountable manner.”
“We call upon all the institutions and agencies that have a role to play in the General Elections to embrace and exercise transparency in all the elections-related activities, contractual obligations, and processes,” reads part of the statement dated and published Monday, July 25.
They continue, “Kenyans have a right to know what every institution is doing on their behalf, and so all institutions must enhance their strategic public communications. Transparency will also promote synergy of the engagements of the different stakeholders.”
Addressing citizens during their press release at Ufungamano House in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, the KCCB and NCCK representatives urged voters to “resist and refuse to participate in any action or communication that could lead to hatred, tension and violence.”
“We must not destroy our country just so that some people get into positions of power. Let each of us make a personal commitment to promote peace and national cohesion before, during and after the elections, and to exercise our democratic right to vote,” they said in their Monday message.
The Religious leaders reminded that Kenyans that the Constitution “anticipates that Kenya will hold free and fair elections that are free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption, and which are conducted by an independent body.”
Voters will elect the President, members of the National Assembly and Senate, county governors and members of the 47 county assemblies.
