Catholic Bishops in Kenya have asked President Ruto to hold constructive dialogue with Raila Odinga in order to diffuse tensions caused by the recent round of protests. The bishops under the aegis of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, KCCB stated that it views it as an opportunity for leaders to come together and work towards a peaceful resolution.
The bishops also implored President Ruto to address the high cost of living, a problem that demonstrators have been vocal about, and for Raila to be open to conversation. They were led in this request by Archbishop Martin Kivuva, the chairperson of the conference.
“We plead and ask our President to follow through with his promise to sit with and listen to Mr Odinga and other leaders and come out with reasonable proposals to address the main plights in our country. We also invite Mr Odinga to accept dialogue for the good of the country,” said Archbishop Kivuva.
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“We believe that dialogue can resolve this dangerous standoff.” The two need to establish a common ground to address the ills facing the country and restore the sanity we need in our country,” he added.
On his part, Archbishop Anthony Muheria criticised the police officers’ use of force during the protests on Monday.
Muheria said, “The injuries and loss of even one life is way too expensive, Kenyan lives matter. We urge restraint of the police in such occasions and urge them against use of live bullets and excessive force that might cause injury to the people.”
Also, he advised Kenyans to refrain from protests, claiming that they would not put an end to the issues raised. He further stated that Kenyans ought to utilise the rains for farming instead.
“The fact that it is legal to demonstrate should not make it a vehicle to paralyse the country or degenerate into a forceful takeover of a legitimate government! “We must allow ourselves to be guided by the law and not our own individual perspectives.”
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“We should not entertain any goal that seeks to use violence or force to take leadership. Unfortunately, we have witnessed looting and destruction of property that leads to huge losses during the demonstrations,” he concluded.
Bishop Maurice Muhatia, the Vice chairperson of the conference, also voiced his concern regarding Azimio la Umoja’s apparent suggestion that the current government should resign and be replaced by their leader, Mr Odinga. He emphasised this to be a hazardous and unconstitutional proposal.
He urged Azimio to challenge any additional legal issues they may be facing, stressing that the Supreme Court’s ruling rendered the present administration’s election to office legitimate.
“Demonstrations cannot annul or take over the Constitution. We must respect the rule of law. The only way to avoid chaos and anarchy is to always follow the Constitution and the laws of the land. We therefore appeal to all leaders to pursue the path of peace and dialogue and create an enabling environment where all Kenyans can work and increase productivity,” said Bishop Muhatia.
“We, the Catholic Bishops, declare our intention and willingness to rejoin with the leaders and other Kenyans of goodwill to have a national conversation over the issues that are ailing us,” he added.
