KENYA: Interfaith Leaders Ready to Mediate in Quest for “White Smoke” As Kenya Chokes in Political Impasse
Elizabeth Asasha
As a dense cloud of political turbulence continues to seethe through the streets of Kenya, Interreligious leaders have expressed their willingness to mediate for peaceful negotiations between the Kenyan government and opposition to forestall the perilous consequences of the flaring rift between the two pacts.
At a meeting on Tuesday, July 18, spiritual leaders from among others, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), and the Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK) pleaded with Kenya’s President William Ruto and Azimio Chief Raila Odinga to engage in dialogue to end the current political impasse.
The clergy reiterated that there has never been a better method to resolve a crisis besides peaceful conversation and appealed to the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, to call off the three-day weekly anti-government protests, which they say, have only continued to compound the many problems crippling the nation.
“We believe that peaceful dialogue is the most effective means of resolving any crisis and it is through this channel that we can create lasting solutions and foster understanding among all Kenyans,” noted Rev. Fr. Joseph Mutie who chairs the Inter-religious Council of Kenya (IRCK).
According to Abdullahi Abdi, the head of the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), the call for an all-inclusive mediation process is a result of concerted efforts by religious leaders and other stakeholders.
“After extensive consultation, we reiterate that it is in the best interest of this country and the safety of every Kenyan for these protests to be called off.” He continued, “At the same time, we recognize and espouse the right of the people who have called these demonstrations to be allowed to sit down with the other side and explore peaceful ways of addressing these issues.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday July 19, 2023, in the wake of the three-day weekly nationwide protests, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) called for non-violent ways of addressing grievances raised by Kenyans while urging the government and opposition leaders to return to dialogue with a new stratagem that would involve key state and non-state actors.
“We demand that the failed bipartisan talks be resumed in a different context that brings on board the religious leaders and some other eminent persons and bodies,” the statement reads in part, “We make this passionate appeal to President William Ruto and Rt. Hon Raila Odinga to give dialogue a chance,” said KCCB chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde while addressing members of the Fourth Estate at Dimesse in Karen, Nairobi.
A consortium of interfaith leaders is currently exploring the most cordial ways to bring the two political factions together, disclosed Abdi, pledging to provide details of their approach as soon as it yields fruits.
“We are engaging both sides as we try to establish which is the best way to bring the two teams together without anybody losing such that both of them are equal partners in terms of negotiating for peace, security, and the economy of this country.” He said.
The Muslim leader also reassured Kenyans that reason and sobriety would prevail during the planned mediation process, stating, “We are building that environment, we assure you that it is ongoing on, and when we get the white smoke then we shall release it to you.”
The KCCB prelates explicitly denounced the seeming ethnic-based violence witnessed in some parts of the country during the weekly demonstrations, as well as the ensuing losses of life and property.
“The recent demonstrations that have taken place across the country have resulted in significant negative consequences including injuries, property damage, trauma and loss of lives and we now see the threat of escalation in the declared three days weekly demonstrations,” said Archbishop Kivuva stressing that there was no justifiable reason whatsoever to be violent.
In the same vein, Abdullahi Abdi stated that the weekly protests will worsen the already volatile situation in the country and further wreak havoc on Kenyans, the majority of whom live from hand to mouth.
“We don’t want that to continue; neither do we want a blame game to ensue. If we shut down the economy for three days, it is going to make things much more difficult for Kenyans,” Abdi added that it was crucial to keep the economy active.
The religious leaders also expressed concerns over police brutality meted on demonstrators during protests, “We have pleaded with the police as much as they have got the right to defend and protect the citizens and stop any looting, they don’t need to use excessive force where it is not necessary.” Said Alhaj Dr. Faridun Suleiman Abdalla, IRCK’s Deputy Chairperson.
“On the same note, we remind the law enforcement agencies to observe respect for the principles of democracy and human rights during these protests.” He added.
The ongoing political stalemate has drawn the attention of other actors, who weighed in on the matter, advocating for the proper course of action that would not be detrimental to the already weakling economy.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) remarked that the current standoff between the government and opposition are becoming intolerable, pointing out that learning has been severely impacted, and encouraging the two political nemesis to soften their hard-line stances and ensure learning continues undisrupted.
“We are unable to tolerate the political grandstanding that we are witnessing from the government and the opposition because it is making the life of learners and teachers unbearable,” Posited Akello Misori, KUPPET Secretary General.
Eric Theuri, president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) voiced concerns over the use of violence during the protests seeking further probe into the matter.
He said, “We urge members of the public to maintain peace during the protests and note that the right to demonstrate is only protected in law when it is peaceful and unarmed.”
The opposition alliance Azimio la Umoja, on the other hand, maintains that they are acting within the bounds of the constitution leveling accusations against the government for allegedly funding armed goons to pose as protestors while terrorizing and vandalizing Kenyans to portray the demonstrations as violent.
Inter-religious clerics have entreated all Kenyans to uphold peace and reject any advances to participate in confrontational politics, violence, looting, and destruction of property in pursuit of justice.
