Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church’s members, along with other religious and social groups of Kenya are multiplying their efforts in requesting truth and justice in the two events that have caused concern in a country still marked by the crisis of past months (see Fides 14/4/2008). The Bishop of Kitale, Maurice Anthony Crowley, asked that an investigation be performed on the presumed cases of torture committed by the army against the rebels of Mont Elgon (see Fides 11/3/2008). Nearly 1,200 people accused of having participated in the operations of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) say that they were tortured by the military. In order to clarify this situation that runs the risk of creating new resentments and hate, Bishop Crowley has asked that an independent investigation be performed by the United Nations in order “to know how they are captured and treated. Who tortures them? Only an independent inquiry can answer these questions.”
Local authorities deny the accusations and also accuse the rebels of torturing and mutilating anyone who may give information to the police.
Another source of tension in Kenya, after the crisis, is from the sect of the Mungiki that is preparing for battle after the assassination (which seems to have been carried out by police) of several of its most important members (see Fides 30/40/2008). According to the Catholic agency CISA, the Catholic Church, which in the past has often taken a fairly critical stance of this sect, has joined other religious groups in asking the government to enter into dialogue with the Mungiki. “The government is denying the obvious. This group is not a small force to dismiss with television and radio statements. There is a need [for] another strategy to deal with this sect,” a document signed by Cardinal Njue, retired Archbishop John Njenga of Mombasa, Auxiliary Bishop David Kamau of Nairobi, and other Anglican and Presbyterian representatives.
The Mungiki sect has caused serious social concern in the country due to the violence of its followers. The government began a campaign of repression against them, but the religious leaders maintain that it is necessary that they listen to “these Mungiki youth that are energetic, somewhat educated, yet out of work and forced to live in absolute poverty. They cannot die of hunger while the rich and elite life in luxury.”
The leaders of the main Christian churches in Kenya accuse political leaders of fostering the violence among youth, for their own advantages. “Politicians ought to be told to stop the method of ‘use and dump.’ Mungiki are people not things.” The message concludes with an appeal to the government so that it may dialogue with members of the sect and that they may “be allocated funds to run business and reduce this poverty and misery.” (LM) (Agencia Fides 14/5/2008 líneas 32, palabras 462)
