Kenyan bishops urge nation ‘to pause’ and ask, ‘where are we headed?’

[Anglican Communion News Service] In light of continued demonstrations for governmental reform, which are becoming increasingly dangerous to attend, the Anglican Church of Kenya grieves with those who have lost loved ones due to police brutality and raises significant questions to political leaders and ordinary citizens about the kind of country they want Kenya to become.

The Anglican Church of Kenya on July 11 released a statement, signed by the Most Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit, archbishop of Kenya, on the state of the nation. The bishops and archbishop of Kenya encouraged all officials and citizens to “promote the welfare of everyone.”

The statement condemns recent destructive “events of lawlessness” as well as the response by the police and government. It calls for justice in politics, for the presidency to be “a symbol of national unity,” and to “let young people register as voters and pursue democratic and lawful processes to be part of the change they want to see.”

Relating to the violent response to the young Kenyan people demonstrating to demand government action on corruption, high taxation, unemployment and unlawful use of violence by the police, the bishops’ statement demands “the government protect lives and properties and conduct thorough and fair investigations and charge all who are guilty of extra judicial killings and looting.”

The statement concludes with the plea, “Let calm prevail and love for country and neighbor be our guide and wisdom.”

The full statement from the Anglican Church of Kenya follows.

Statement on the state of the nation 

Preamble

Prayerfully and in humility, we the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and on behalf of our Christians and the nation of Kenya, we urge Kenya “to pause” and ask. “Where are we headed?”

The word of God in Proverbs 14:12, reminds us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” Are we (Kenyans) on a path that leads to life or death? It is with deep concern that we are seeing our beloved country slowly slipping into unrest, thuggery and chaos. With all honesty and humility, let us examine our ways and judge for ourselves what could possibly be the consequences of our actions and choices.

1.  We condemn recent events of lawlessness, which have seen loss of lives, destruction of properties and closure of businesses. With deep sorrow we stand with those who have lost loved ones and convey our sincere condolences. We also stand with those who have lost livelihoods in the wake of this chaos. We pray for the injured and those now with permanent disability.
2. We demand the government protect lives and properties, and conduct thorough and fair investigations and charge all who are guilty of extra-judicial killings and looting. We condemn use of excessive force, and call upon the government to take responsibility for lost lives and compensate affected families as well as those who have lost their businesses. We condemn the emergence of goons and organized vigilante groups witnessed in the recent protests.
3. We condemn the “shoot to kill” order as well as shoot to maim or break legs. Let the police execute their mandate within the provisions of the law, arrest suspects and those found guilty stealing, destroying properties or committing other crimes be prosecuted.
4. The government should strengthen and support NCIC to reign in those who perpetuate hatred and division and those who have taken advantage of our God-given freedom of speech to incite the public and fan ethnic animosity. Lawful measures have to be put in place to stop emerging ethnic balkanization and political thuggery that is threatening national unity and breakdown of law and order. We call upon the opposition to promote national cohesion and restrain from ethnic mobilization as they push their agenda.
5. Public barazas by politicians are causing more harm than good and we strongly urge that such barazas by whatever political divide should cease forthwith. All leaders and those who use social media spaces should check the language they use, especially in the public square.
6. Whereas demonstrations and picketing are democratic rights, we urge the organizers of protests and generally all who participate in those protests to cease from holding demonstrations, because far from serving the intended cause, the demonstrations have proved deadly and destructive. Since the police have failed to effectively maintain law and order during such demonstrations, consider exploring alternative ways of engaging the government and pursue democratic and constitutional route of electing responsible leaders at the ballot. Let young people register as voters and pursue democratic and lawful processes to be part of the change they want to see.
7. We urge the president to shelve the idea of construction of a church at the State House. The presidency is a symbol of national unity, and it is important that no faith may seem left out on account of this. We note that already there are so many churches around State House available to residents of all denominations. Besides, moderate prayer rooms can be created for the purposes of individual or private devotions for persons who must worship on the site.
8. We are delighted that the process of having IEBC [Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission] commissioners is now on course with the court ruling. We require the commissioners to start their noble task with speed and honesty. The commissioners should start preparations and to hold the pending by-elections without further delay. We demand a transparent clean-up of national voter register, the registrar of persons to facilitate issuance of IDs, and voter registration undertaken in every part of the country.

Conclusion

Let calm prevail and love for country and neighbor be our guide and wisdom in whatever path we choose to follow. Let us keep hope alive and give humility a chance, and listen to one another even when we know we hold views and positions as different as day and night. As the word of God in Philippians 2:3 exhorts us: “Be mindful of destructive consequences of selfish ambition or passing glory. Rather, in humility let us promote the welfare of everyone.”

On behalf of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Signed: The Most Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit, archbishop of Kenya, bishop of All Saints Cathedral and bishop in ordinary to the Armed Forces of Kenya