The Catholic Bishops of Kenya have called upon leaders to demonstrate true leadership by committing themselves to the service of Kenyans instead of engaging in divisive politics.
They said currently, the country is grappling with the coronavirus challenge, a time that calls for all leaders to unite and strategise to combat the disease rather than engage in supremacy battles and jostling for positions ahead of the 2022 elections.
Diocese of Eldoret Bishop Rt. Rev Dominic Kimengich speaking on behalf of fellow Bishops today cautioned that unless leaders and Kenyans come together and chart the way forward in fighting the pandemic there might be no people to rule over in the year 2022.
Bishop Kimengich who was celebrating Sunday Mass at the Holy Family Basilica said the wrangling in the ruling Jubilee Party is worrying and ominous for national cohesion a couple of years ahead of national elections.
The Mass that was transmitted live on KBC Channel One was also attended by head of the Catholic Church in Kenya Cardinal John Njue.
He said “People are still hurt, the wounds of post-election violence are not yet healed, please I beg you do not open these wounds afresh and do not destroy all those efforts of peace building that people like the late Archbishop Cornelius Korir worked day and night to ensure we have a cohesive society and a peaceful Kenya”.
“I come from North Rift and our people are confused and unable to understand what is really happening to our politicians and the promises they had made,” said Bishop Kimengich.
The prelate said as shepherds they are greatly concerned about the current political mood in the country and told the politicians to see the good of the country and put aside their ambitions.
He also thanked the government for its sustained efforts to ensure the spread of Covid-19 is controlled, as well as commended elected leaders for their continuous fight against Covid-19 and other disasters across the country.
With the country going beyond the 1000 mark of confirmed positive cases of coronavirus, Bishop Kimengich urged all Kenyans to join hands in the fight against the pandemic by strictly observing the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health.
He assured all citizens of the Bishops’ continuous prayers and spiritual support, noting that they are aware of the uncertainty that the pandemic and other natural disasters like floods, cholera, locusts and mudslides are causing to families and especially the most vulnerable persons, negatively affecting most individuals, families’ institutions and businesses.
“As Bishops we also applaud health care workers for the good work they are doing, citizens for their resilience and efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease and individuals, churches and other religious organizations that continue to support the most vulnerable people by making contributions towards their basic needs,” he added.
By Bernadette Khaduli
