Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides)- The violence which has disrupted Kenya in recent weeks did not come unexpected: For almost 20 years the Catholic Bishops of Kenya have warned about the exploitation of ethnic tribal tension for political ends. On the eve of a national day of prayer for peace on Sunday January 20 organised by the Church in Kenya, (see Fides 10/1/2008), we give a brief review of some of the most significant interventions by Kenyan Bishops in recent years.
Following the outbreak of violence in August 1997, election year, Bishop Ambrose Ravasi, of the diocese of Marsarbit in north east Kenya said the clashes were “ the fruit of selfishness, greed, and thirst of power, and which have caused so much suffering and destruction, but nevertheless---even if at a reduced manner---they are still going on with impunity, as if they have become an intolerable, yet normal, pattern of one’s life, or even worse, as if they were to be the result of some satanic, well planned strategy, directed by some unknown superior powers, which human efforts cannot control, nor stop”. Bishop Ravasi also said “To add to the whole situation is the mounting tension which one can breath in the air, when hearing of the many confrontations and riots going on among the different political parties, as the general elections approach.”.
On 16 September 1997 Cardinal John Njue, presently archbishop of Nairobi and at the time president of the Kenyan Bishops' Conference Kenya, issued a “prophetic”, in which, speaking of violence in Coast Province, he wondered whether “ is the Coast violence a “pilot project” and once successful is to be repeated elsewhere in some parts of the Rift Valley, Western, Eastern and Nyanza Provinces?”. These were some of the areas affected by clashes which broke out following the elections on 27 December 2007. Cardinal Njue noted “ To us, even to talk of elections when many are leaving their place of work, their homes, and from the places where they registered to vote, leaves us thinking that these clashes are indeed the evil fruits of sadistic politicians who will benefit from the absence and none participation of people from certain ethnic communities who may have previously not supported them and their parties. Is this another way of hunting for the 25%. These killings, have caused panic and fear leading to the mass exodus from Likoni, Mtwapa, Kwale, Malindi, Kilifi and now Diani by members of certain ethnic communities; Luos, Kikuyu, Luhya and Kamba, to mention just a few. Is it coincidental, that it is from these tribes where potential presidential hopefuls are from? While the government preaches peace, there doesn’t seem to be peace at all and the coast Leaders have kept mum. Are they condoning the violence? ”
Referring to the same incidents Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth of Kisumu, Nyanza Provincia in eastern Kenya said: “ We the people of Nyanza recently buried 26 bodies of people killed at the Coast, apart from the two children who died at the Likoni Catholic Church in Mombasa. We Christians and all people of good will are called at this time to reflect on the meaning of the passage, 'Blessed are the peace-makers.' Despite the recent coastal violence, it was evident in Mombasa that the vast majority of Kenyans living in a multi-ethnic society want peace and respect for each other, want reconciliation and justice. In fact the upcountry people at the Coast have always voted for coastal people in elections to be their representatives in Parliament. Let us do all we can to restore this harmony among peoples which existed previously at the Coast and in so many other parts of Kenya.”.
After general elections 29 and 30 December 1997, on 7 January 1998 Cardinal Njue launched an appeal for national reconciliation and asked the new government to correct all deficiencies revealed by the vote: “We are all aware of some very grave injustices, of some very deceitful actions, of shameful falsehoods in counting and announcing votes. Let us request that all these be acknowledged by those responsible, and let us insist that immediate steps should be taken by the new Government to take measures now, to correct all deficiencies”.
In his Christmas Message for the year 2000, Cardinal Njue, recalled events which had disrupted life in Kenya in that year Kenya: drought, rationing of water and electricity, political intolerance “which has never been so negative” and widespread violence in which an American missionary Fr. Kaiser, was killed in circumstances still to be clarified.
On 28 August 2002, on the occasion of general elections won by Mwai Kibaki, the Bishops said “we urge all politicians to do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of ethnic clashes which have occurred during previous election campaigns.”. “ We note that the so-called “tribal clashes” have begun in the same areas of the country as in 1992 i.e. Njoro, Molo, Mau Narok, Mauche, Olengurone, Elburgon, Keringet and Kuresoi divisions. Is this a coincidence? How is it that people seem to be able to live in peace for long periods and then, without warning, burst into violence! How is it that unemployed youth, in our towns and cities (notably in Nairobi) seem to be easily organised and mobilised to cause havoc?” the Bishops wrote on 16 November 2006 after yet another outbreak of violence before an election.
“Reports received from Justice and Peace Commissions all over Kenya” said a statement issued by the Bishops' Conference “show that poverty is the root of most of our problems. We see on one hand scandalous and shameful enrichment of a few and on the other we see growing impoverishment of most of the population. If we ad to this disparity the unresolved problem of land, the opportunist and irresponsible interventions of our leaders and the inaction of “the forces of law and order”, we feel compelled to appeal to all Kenyans to stop and reflect and to reverse the situation before it is too late”.
The Bishops presented proposals to help restore peace in the country:
1) We call on our politicians and local leaders to speak only life-giving words. Discriminatory remarks about other individuals and ethnic groups can kill. On the other hand, the word spoken with respect can give life, bring reconciliation and build unity..
2) The resolution of problems in a non-violent way is not a fiction It can be done. It entails real consultation and dialogue, in an ongoing search for consensus”.
3) The Bishops call on the government “rapidly solve problems relative to land possession” and to accelerate programmes for development and improvement for the people of Kenya”.
4) Police “must act swiftly but with responsibility in situations of violence. It is imperative for people who incite and pay young Kenyans to act with criminal violence be brought to justice”.
On the eve of general elections 27 December 2007 the Bishops' Conference issued a Pastoral Letter “Love God and Neighbour”, in which the Bishops recall “sincere love of neighbour is the true founding value of a united nation. So we must reject any leaders who preach hatred or indulge in policies which create divisions”. In the pastoral letter the Bishops underlined the importance of civic education to guarantee the growth of democracy in Kenya and prevent the use of illegal practices such as buying votes and incitement to electoral violence. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/1/2008 righe 84 parole 1102)
