KENYA: President Calls for Religious Tolerance

NYERI, MAY 26, 2015(CISA) – President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to be tolerant with each other’s faith saying the constitution guarantees freedom of worship.

“There is no faith that is superior to the other and no faith that can force others in one way or the other to believe in what people themselves have not accepted,” President Kenyatta said Saturday May 23 at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri.

While addressing thousands who had turned up for the beatification of Sister Irene Stefani ‘Nyaatha’ President Kenyatta said that government is committed to protecting and preserving the rights of all Kenyans to exercise and practice their faith without fear.

“We shall not agree to be intimidated by few individuals who deem it fit to dictate to others that which they should not do,” he said.

The President observed that although Sister Irene, now Blessed Irene, had a better life back in Italy, she decided to forego the comfort of her family to follow God’s calling to come and serve in Africa, where she knew nobody and had no relatives.

“She had no relative here in Nyeri but came to give the word and use her talent to serve all who were around here,” said President Kenyatta adding that Sr Irene life is proof that “the greatest contributors to the wellbeing of society are the good actions of individual members.”

Speaking during the same event, former President Mwai Kibaki said Sr Irene’s acts of compassion demonstrate that, “deeds that transform the world may be rare but can be purposed and prioritized.”

He said the late famous Catholic nun was a person of exemplary compassion, sacrifice, courage, diligence and faith that showed selfless commitment.

“From Sister Nyaatha’s beliefs and values, we learn that courageous good deeds are gears that change   the world by transforming the fortunes of human kind,” said the former President.

Sister Irene Stefani, a Consolata Missionary arrived in Kenya in 1915 and died in 1930 of bubonic plague.