Vice Chair of National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Bishop John Okinda, has urged the media not to be partisan during their coverage.
Speaking to Journalists at PEFA Church in Migori town, Bishop Okinda said that the press should play a bigger role in sensitizing and advocating for peace before, during and after elections.
He said that the media should desist from speaking or writing anything that may cause or aid in violence.
“Social media is the biggest propagator of hate speech and journalists should desist from forwarding or sharing any messages that may disrupt peace and security during this election period,” said Okinda.
The clergy added that if each individual keeps peace, Kenya will be safe for everyone to practice and participate in the August 9 election.
Okinda also noted that the election is a time to choose leaders, but not a time to provoke, fight and destroy one another.
The NCCK Vice Chair called upon society to help protect children, women and people living with disability and assist them where necessary, during this electioneering period.
He also encouraged all the clergies across the nation to pray for the electioneering exercise to ensure that the country remains peaceful as we move closer to the new government transition.
However, Okinda asked IEBC to conduct elections that are credible and transparent to ensure that the outcome is satisfactory both to the electorate and the political leaders.
“May I urge all the politicians to accept defeat and seek redress in the corridors of power if they feel justice is not served at the ballot,” concluded Okinda.
By Geoffrey Makokha
