The Bishop of ACK Mt Kenya Central Rt Rev Dr Timothy Gichere has urged men and women in marriages(couples) to shun violence and embrace dialogue to maintain peaceful coexistence and strengthen families.
Speaking at ACK St Barnabas Ngoeini, Kanyenyaini ward Kangema during a marriage solemnisation of 10 couples on Thursday, (-mass wedding,) the bishop noted that marriages should remain firm so as to impact on generations to come.
“We would like our marriages to remain firm and peaceful where husbands love their wives a testament of Christ’s love and presence in our families and in our society,” he observed adding that,
“Ordained by Christ himself, marriages can and will work if we all strive to have Christ as the centerpiece in our families so as to show the love of Christ therein”
He underscored the need to embrace dialogue in all situations as this will help eliminate all cases of the widespread sexual and gender-based violence being witnessed all over the country.
Dr Gichere called on policy makers and leaders on all levels to unite in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence by streamlining the laws on the same thus acting as a deterrent to potential perpetrators.
“There is an urgent need to create sensitisation forums within the community that will be an eye-opener to the vices that violates the rights of our women and girls as that negates their economic and social development and empowerment and shun them,” said the Bishop
A Kenya Health and Demographic Survey 2022 report by the Kenya National Bureau of statistics indicated that 54 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in Murang’a have experienced sexual violence.
Additionally, the survey placed women from the county who experienced sexual violence at 14 percent as compared to the countrywide statistics of 7 percent in Murang’a.
Moreover, 22 percent of women in Murang’a experienced physical violence a number that was higher compared to a countrywide figure of 16 percent.
At the same time, Bishop Gichere called on the political class to maintain peace in the country by shunning politics of hate, deceit and hypocrisy.
“Nationally we want open minded politicians who are prepared to focus and unite the country, preach peace and love for the glory of God,” he said
On her side the area MCA Grace Nduta congratulated the 10 couples for taking the bold step of solemnising their marriages and being a good example to others in the society.
She urged them to strive to keep peace in their families by remaining united and always seeking Christ to intervene in life’s unprecedented challenges
“We are happy for you and we pray that the Lord keeps your marriages strong and peaceful,” she said.
Beaming with joy, one of the couples that solemnised their union, Mr and Mrs John Kamau called on young people getting into marriages to strive to understand each other and be focused on making their marriages flourish guided by Christ the author of marriages.
Having been married for over three decades, the couple emphasised on the need to remain committed to each other despite life’s insurmountable challenges for a marriage to work.
By Florence Kinyua
