NAIROBI AUGUST 18, 2017(CISA)-“Dear Kenyans, to lose even one life because of elections is abominable. To injure or maim anybody is unacceptable. This must never be allowed in any civilized society like Kenya,” the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has said.
The declaration of the August 8 presidential polls was met by protests by a section of dissatisfied Kenyans who were confronted brutally by security agencies leading to death and destruction of property.
The National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition has accused the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission of election malpractices awarding the presidential victory to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The bishops applauded the opposition NASA Coalition for taking their case to the Supreme Court for legal determination.
“It is only by respecting and having recourse to the established Constitutional institutions that we, as Kenyans, are able to enhance and strengthen the rule of law and the democratic process in our county.”
The bishops called upon the judiciary and other constitutional institutions to jealously protect their independence and discharge their mandate justly in a fair and impartial manner.
“This is the only way these institutions will earn the trust and confidence of all Kenyans, the bishops said.
While condoling with families who lost their loved ones the bishops noted that it was a “wake up call for all of us, including our political leaders to tread carefully and put the love of this country above all other considerations.”
The bishops called for a national dialogue and a deeper reconciliation process among all Kenyans, “So that we may heal our nation.”
“As catholic bishops we are convinced that Kenya needs to pay attention to the post-election issues that are simmering underneath… it is important for us to face boldly the unresolved issues of national healing, cohesion, reconciliation, inclusivity,corruption, poverty, unemployment and negative ethnicity,” the bishops added.
The bishops were speaking at a press conference on August 17 at the Archdiocese of Nairobi Clergy House at the end of their extraordinary meeting on August 16-17.
The statement was read in part by Bishop Philip Anyolo, Chairman of the KCCB and his vice, Bishop John Oballa Owaa of Ngong diocese.
