KENYA: Bishops in Kenya Decry Challenges Bedeviling the Country, Call Political Leaders to Dialogue
Police lobby teargas carnisters to disperse protesters in Nairobi CBD
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the demonstrations that have begun in Kenya organized by the opposition leader against the government, Catholic bishops under the auspices of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have criticized the challenges facing the country including the political protest and called upon political leaders to drop their hardline positions and embrace dialogue for peace to reign in the country.
“We plead and ask our President William Ruto to follow through with his promise to sit with and listen to Hon. Raila Odinga and other leaders and come out with some reasonable proposals to address the main plights in our country specifically, high cost of living that needs urgent attention,” the Bishops proposed to the President in their press release message shared with AMECEA Online Wednesday, March 22.
They also ask the opposition leader “to accept dialogue for the good of the country,” noting that “a sitting and dialogue can resolve this dangerous stand-off.”
Since the nation is in a difficult situation “that calls for our concerted effort to fix current ills besides other deeper such as corruption, impunity and lawlessness that have bedeviled our country, the Catholic church leaders said, the two leaders “need to establish a common ground to address the ills facing the country and restore the sanity we need in our country.”
The bishops lamented further, “Kenyans are deeply frustrated but we need to offer them solutions that are peaceful and will keep the unity of our country solid and intact.”
In their Wednesday statement signed by the KCCB chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese together with over 20 Prelates who were present for the meeting at Donum Dei, Karen Nairobi, they pointed out that, “There cannot be a good reason to resort to the stand-off and defiance of our leaders to the detriment of Kenyans.”
Consequently, the Bishops condemned “the chest thumping from those in government that they will not dialogue with the opposition,” highlighting that this decision “will not solve the concerns and problems Kenyans are saddled with.”
At the same time, “The Country is at a place where blame games by our leaders cannot address the country’s myriad of problems and crises.”
Addressing the issue of political demonstrations which commenced on Monday, March 20, and which the opposition leader has promised will be held weekly until the needs of the country are met, Church leaders decry the use of “force by the police, the injuries and even loss of one life which is too expensive.”
“Kenyan lives matter. We urge restraint of the police in such occasions and urge them against use live bullets and excessive force that might cause injury to the people,” reads part of the statement by members of KCCB.
“The fact that it is legal to demonstrate should not make it a vehicle to paralyze the Country, nor degenerate to a forceful takeover of a legitimate Government,” the bishops warn and add, “We must allow ourselves to be guided by the law and not our own individual perspectives.”
“Further we should not entertain any goal that seeks to use violence or force to take leadership. Unfortunately, we have witnessed looting and the destruction of property that leads to huge losses during the demonstrations,” they said.
In this regard, the bishops once more “make a passionate appeal to the people of Kenya and personally to Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Hon. Martha Karua, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, Hon Jeremiah Kioni and to the entire Opposition to refrain from continued demonstrations” stressing that, “It is not opportune to have demonstrations since such actions will not resolve the problems or grievances.”
They highlighted that the call by the leader of Azimio la Umoja that the current Government must resign and be replaced by the opposition leader “is dangerous and it goes against the fact that Kenya is a country governed by the Constitution.”
“We went to vote and the results were contested in Court. Our Supreme Court made its determination. Therefore, we have a constitutionally legitimate Government,” Members of KCCB stressed on respect of the rule of law and pointed out that, “Any contestation can only be challenged in the courts.”
Additionally, they continued, “Demonstrations cannot annul or take over the Constitution. We must respect the rule of law. The only way to avoid chaos and anarchy is always to follow the Constitution and the laws of the land.”
They strongly appeal to all leaders to “pursue the path of peace and dialogues and create a climate enabling environment where all Kenyans can work and increase productivity.”
