Clergymen from Murang’a county
have urged the government to put
measures in place to bring down
political temperatures in the country.
The Christian and Muslim leaders said intense politics being witnessed in the country is creating a punishing environment for Kenyans who are already grappling with the poor economy.
The leaders spoke during a Mulika Initiative forum at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Murang’a town. The meeting included the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, National Council of Churches of Kenya, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Civil Societies and youth organisations.
Mulika initiative is a faith-based and civil society-led cohesion and election oversight programme seeking to improve accountability and transparency in electoral and democratic processes.
It is supported by Usaid. George Mbiruri of NCCK condemned retrogressive politics which have seen politicians storm other people’s meetings. He said it is paramount for the government to ensure intolerance among political leaders is dealt with.
“We need to ensure Kenyans respect each other’s rights including people who hold different political opinions. We want people to be able to hold meetings without disruptions. Let people disagree respectfully. We want peace, not chaos,” Mbiruri said.
He also raised concerns over the poor economy which has caused many businesses to close. “How do they say the economy is doing better yet we have no money in our pockets? We want the government to eliminate corruption.
We are very happy that Adani contracts were cancelled,” Mbiruri said. He also asked the government to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Mbiruri said failure to appoint commissioners seriously hinders the commission’s capacity to carry out key functions such as voter registration, boundaries review and by-elections. IEBC has been without commissioners since the resignation of four commissioners – Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi, Juliana Cherera and Irene Masit.
Former chairperson Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye retired. Alhaji Shaban of Supkem urged President William Ruto to organise a national dialogue conference to heal the country.
He warned politicians against criticising the church for voicing concerns over some government activities.
“These attacks against the church are not healthy and only started when the church made firm stands on issues affecting Kenyans. Some politicians have mistaken that, saying the church is interfering with the political leadership of the country,” Shaban said.
“We are not interested in any political seats. They came to us when they were looking for votes and we prayed for them. What has happened that they now cannot sit down and reason with us?”
Some of the issues the church has raised concern about include extra judicial killings and the high cost of living.
“President Ruto, respectfully, sit down with us. Let’s have a national dialogue conference to heal this country before these divisions escalate,” Shaban said.
Youth leader Monica Kimari said lack of jobs for university graduates has created a state of hopelessness in the country.
Kimari urged the government to create job opportunities and conducive environments for start-ups for the youth. Murang’a County Peace Forum chairperson Jane Kamwaga underscored the need to establish safe houses for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
“Each county should have safe
houses to provide safety for victims.
We know the government has the
resources to help them get solace
before they find their footing,” she
said.
