NAIROBI JULY 28, 2017(CISA) – Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has called on Kenyans to come out in large numbers and vote for their respective leaders come August 8.
“We wish to note that the moment we have been waiting for is here. We are calling upon all Kenyans to seize this opportunity and to exercise our constitutional right and give ourselves leaders of integrity,” said Bishop Philip Anyolo, KCCB chairman.
The bishops urged Kenyans to understand and appreciate that “every vote cast is a personal declaration of his/her goodwill for the country and a personal declaration of its credibility as a Kenyan to the country and therefore must vote on August 8.”
Addressing journalists today at Waumini House in Nairobi, the bishops said that Kenyans should equally embrace peace during and after August 8.
“The clarion call has been to have Just, Fair, Peaceful and Credible Elections. We need to create a peaceful environment, to demonstrate our patriotism for our wonderful country, and ensure that all parts of Kenya are in peace,” the bishops said.
They appealed to the youth to restrain from violence and instead be agents of peace during the electioneering period.
The bishops further called on the nation to accord the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commision (IEBC) all the necessary support it needs to discharge its constitutional mandate.
On their part, we ask the IEBC to see to it that they secure Just, Fair, Transparent, Credible and Peaceful Elections.
He noted that the church will work closely with all the election observer groups, and all agencies and non-state actors involved in the electoral process.
They called on the media to remain objective in helping to create a peaceful environment.
“We recognize that the media is a very crucial actor in the entire electoral process. It is the media that packages and relays information to the public. It is, therefore important for the media to remain objective in helping to create a peaceful environment and promote the culture of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation,” the bishops said.
The bishops will begin prayer of the Novena for Peaceful Elections on July 30 to August 7 on the eve of Elections.
