By Paschal Norbert
NAIROBI, JULY 10, 2025 (CISA)– The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has issued a powerful call to national unity and peace, decrying the current state of political turmoil and social unrest gripping the country, while urging political leaders to restore justice, accountability, and moral leadership.
In a statement dated July 9, 2025, and following a three-day retreat at Ulwazi Place in Nairobi, heads of member institutions under the IRCK reflected deeply on Kenya’s ongoing crisis, invoking sacred texts from Christian, Muslim, and Hindu traditions to underscore the urgent need for peace and righteous governance.
“Kenya is in a very sad and dangerous state,” said the religious leaders in the press statement signed by IRCK Chairperson, Bishop Willybard Lagho of Malindi.
They explained “The fight by dominant political elite to acquire, protect and consolidate political and economic power is tearing our nation apart with unprecedented tension, violence, and killing of innocent citizens.”
The religious leaders, under the umbrella of IRCK, a coalition that brings together representatives from major faiths in Kenya to foster interreligious dialogue and national cohesion, decried the government’s failure to contain the situation, noting that what began as public opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 has spiraled into what they describe as “murderous chaos,” marked by violent protests, the destruction of property, abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
“The state, through ineptitude or deliberate provocations, has degenerated what started as an expression of discontent into incessant demonstrations and destruction,” they stated.
Under the theme “End the Violence,” the religious leaders challenged the government to restore public trust by upholding the rule of law and pursuing meaningful accountability.
“The state, led by His Excellency the President, can and must restore public trust by ensuring senior state perpetrators of violence and financial scandals face the law through meaningful prosecutions,” the IRCK emphasized, stating “Politicians must also be compelled to immediately cease using religion and negative ethnicity for political mobilization.”
They further called for the urgent establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate all deaths that occurred during demonstrations since June 2024: “We must, as a nation, build our future on a platform of truth.”
Mediation and Moral Leadership
The council offered its hand in mediating dialogue between government officials, youth leaders, and political actors, to promote “peaceful coexistence and understanding.” It warned that Kenya was teetering on the edge of anarchy and must return to reason.
“As Kenyans, we must not allow our nation to descend into anarchy. Let us be inspired by the message from the Holy Scriptures: ‘Come, let us reason together’ (Isaiah 1:18),
and ‘Cooperate with one another in virtuous conduct… and fear Allah. Allah is severe in punishment.’ (Quran 5:2)”
The faith leaders urged all Kenyans to remain united in prayer and patriotic duty. They called for lawful, peaceful engagement in solving the country’s deep-rooted political and economic problems.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) is a coalition of faith communities formed to foster peace, interfaith dialogue, and moral leadership across the country. It brings together religious leaders from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and traditional belief systems to promote national unity and justice.
