KENYA: Emulate Humility of Kenyan Athletes: Prelates to Political Candidates after August Elections
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Catholic prelates have advised aspirants who may lose political positions after the August 9 polls, to concede defeat since in every competition there must be a winner and a loser and eventually the winners must emulate the humility of Kenyan athletes.
“Dear Kenyans, the election contest cannot be a do or die. We know it is not possible for all the candidates to emerge winners. For every elective seat, there will be only one winner,” Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) expressed in their collective statement read by Archbishop Anthony Muheria on Sunday, July 31 at Consolata Shrine Nyeri.
They urge political candidates to prepare their supporters for any outcome saying, “Those who lose should concede graciously without causing chaos. Unmeasured celebrations or mayhem do not advance the democratic space we are enjoying.”
“We, therefore, reiterate our earlier message that candidates should prepare their supporters for any result. Candidates have to play their civic role by deliberate strategies that assure their supporters, that whatever the outcome, life must continue.”
On the other hand, the Church leaders in their message signed by the Chairman of KCCB, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese, encouraged those who will win the August 9 elections to be humble and show respect to those who will lose.
“We have learned from the past, how those who emerge victorious quickly develop a condescending attitude towards unsuccessful candidates. We urge modesty and respect from those who emerge winners. Please do so with some humility,” the bishops said in their Sunday statement adding, “As our Kenyan athletes have taught us, any worthy winner will first congratulate a worthy unsuccessful competitor.”
Addressing Kenyan’s concern of the high cost of living, Archbishop Muheria of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri while reading the message on behalf of the Church leaders reminded citizens that the improvement on the issue will not be “overnight” but calls for the participation of all citizens.
“The cost of living, which has been rising, has become a major campaign agenda. But the bulk of the work of bringing the cost of living down is actually with us the citizens. Only through hard work and dedication in our skills, trade, profession, business and ventures, does this dream of the Kenya we desire come to be.”
Even though Kenyans are hopeful about what they desire, the bishops said in their collective message, “We know that the promises made by many candidates cannot be realized within the proposed timeframe.”
“The promises we should seek are those of creating an enabling environment. It will take more than promises: we need clear well-articulated plans and interventions,” reads an excerpt of the message as the bishops advise, “Short of this, we will be voting on false hopes only to be disillusioned.”
“We, therefore, ask each voter to assess critically the candidates who are better placed to improve our cost of living and vote for them,” they said.
Additionally, they asked the aspiring leaders “for authenticity and truth and to provide solutions that are realistic and not the lies of false promises,” reminding them that “solutions need smart strategies.”
The bishops also remind Kenyans that the country belongs to everybody hence “We must not sell it off through cheap hand-outs in these last days.”
“We ask for level-headedness and sobriety from all involved, from the IEBC up to the Government agencies in this critical time. We can determine Kenya’s direction through our vote,” the bishops said and continued, “We Citizens must play our part, and resume our normal public life after voting.”
“We specifically ask all candidates to totally avoid pronouncements that can provoke anxiety or lead to violence,” Archbishop Muheria stressed adding, “May we elect leaders who will bring honor to our country. May we be led by the dream of the Kenya we desire and walk together towards God and towards peace.”
