The National Government has called on religious leaders to support the ongoing peace campaigns being spearheaded by various agencies across the nation in a bid to achieve a peaceful general election in August.
Defense Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa, while speaking in Kisumu, urged the church to establish a spirited prayer culture for the country as well as the politicians for peaceful and cohesive campaigns
“During this election season, we are requesting the church to be a partner of the state in ensuring that we have a peaceful election come 9th August,” CS Wamalwa said.
“As you pray, remember to pray specifically for our politicians to refrain from uttering hate speech and divisive comments that may propagate violence in the country,” CS Wamalwa added.
He was speaking during the inauguration ceremony of Archbishop Maurice Muhatia as the 3rd Archbishop of Kisumu Archdiocese.
The event was also attended by the Principal Secretary State Department of ICT and Innovation, Jerome Ochieng,’ Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, amongst many other leaders.
Governor Kinyanjui said the church must work together with elected leaders for the sake of the unity of the nation.
The Governor further noted that as a country, there is a need to embrace unity during this period of elections.
“If there is any time when the country must be united, then it is now. If there is any time when we would want people thinking about the nation, putting the nation first, then this is the year,” he said while emphasizing the importance of the church’s message on peace and unity.
The chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Mombasa Archdiocese while echoing the sentiments, said the church is cognizant of the challenges Christians are facing.
“Kenya has myriad challenges ranging from hunger, politics and family life. To overcome all these and achieve a unified country and strong families, we must cooperate with others,” Archbishop Kivuva noted.
Further, he decried the state of insecurity in Elgeyo Marakwet, Pokot and Laikipia counties at a time the country yearns for peace for the forthcoming polls.
“Let’s call ourselves agents of peace by going out to those areas with problems and insist to our neighbours to drop their machetes and guns to cease war and build the nation,” he pleaded.
By Robert Ojwang’
