KENYA: Bishops in Kenya Disturbed By Political Standoff Which May Lead to Delay in Dialogue Process
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Catholic Church leaders in Kenya have raised concern following the political standoff between the government and opposition coalition which they say could eventually lead to delay in dialogue process to allow peace prevail in the country.
After their week-long meeting in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, reflecting on the worrying State of the Nation, the Prelates shared their sentiments to members of the public saying, “we are very much disturbed by the apparent standoff which could easily lead to hardened positions and delay the urgently needed process of dialogue.”
The concern for members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), comes following the animosity that has been ongoing between the government and the opposition but which the concerned parties agreed to resolve through dialogue and has not been realized yet.
“As Kenyans, we all breathed a sigh of relief when His Excellency President William Ruto and the Former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga agreed to embrace dialogue through a Parliamentary Bipartisan Process. We saw this as a true mark of leadership and patriotism shown by leaders who love this country; patriots who feel for the suffering Kenyans stricken by poverty, drought and who are sick of endless political bickering,” the bishops narrated in their statement shared with AMECEA Online Thursday, April 20 just after press release.
The fact that the progress for peace talks hasn’t been implemented as per agreement by the government and opposition leadership, Church leaders have asked the people to learn from the effect of hard-heartedness from neighboring countries who are in conflict.
“Learning from what is happening in the neighboring countries, especially the terrible and destructive ongoing war in Sudan, we must raise the alarm to what happens when antagonists harden their hearts and allow pride and stubbornness to close any avenue of peace that comes about through constructive dialogue and a spirit of true patriotism,” they emphasized.
The bishops therefore call on all parties and citizens to “refrain from destructive demonstrations and instead commit themselves to the path of dialogue as the only civil way of resolving political and social issues affecting our country in order to have a reconciled and inclusive nation.”
KCCB members disclosed that a number of political and economic issues ailing the country “emanate from unresolved historical injustices and mismanagement of public resources which require adequate time to resolve and find a lasting solution.”
According to the Church leaders in their Thursday message signed by the KCCB chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese, to resolve the deep-rooted historical issues, “Kenyans require a peaceful environment free of confrontations and street demonstrations.”
With the experience Kenya has had when it comes to protests, the bishops acknowledge that political demonstrations have always led to “loss of lives, left many people maimed or wounded, led to destruction of property and loss of livelihoods.”
To resolve the friction between the parties, the Catholic prelates urge all political leaders to use non-violent means in resolving conflicts.
“We in particular appeal to them (political leaders) to embrace our national values enshrined in the Constitution instead of allowing themselves to be driven by personal and selfish political interests,” the message read and parts and continued, “We ask them to re-evaluate their value system and guided by their conscience, endeavor to do what is right for all Kenyans.”
Additionally they narrated that as the Supreme Court of gave its judgement in regard to the winner of the recent presidential elections, “That decision has to be upheld otherwise we run the risk of becoming a lawless society.”
“As a constitutional democracy we have to respect court decisions and where one disagrees, he/she should seek a non- violent legal review of the judgement. This is the only way we can preserve the integrity and unity of our beloved country,” they said.
Pointing one of the areas among other contentions bringing conflict in the country, the bishops expressed their painful concern the country is going through due the high cost of living.
“We call on Government to speed up measures to address the high cost of living and ensure the tax regime does not hurt the common mwananchi (Citizen) who is already suffering from excessive taxation,” they said in their press release and continued, “We appeal to the Government to give tax relief on basic items as a way of cushioning the poor.”
Despite the challenges the people of Kenya are going through, the bishops encouraged citizens with Easter message saying, “let us learn from Him who died for our sins and rose to give us a new life. May the joy of His resurrection lift us to a new hope and strengthen us to embrace a new dawn for our beloved nation.”
