AFRICA/KENYA - The Bishops: "People are losing trust in the government; we need to restore hope in Kenya"

Friday, 15 November 2024 bishops politics violence

KENYA

2024-11-15
The Bishops: "People are losing trust in the government; we need to restore hope in Kenya"

2024-10-18
Rigathi Gachagua removed from office: Minister of the Interior appointed new Deputy President

2024-10-08
President of the Bishops' Conference: "No to political divisions that undermine the country's development"

2024-09-28
Resignation and succession of bishop of Isiolo

2024-09-19
Bishop of Kitui: "The hope is that new leaders will emerge from the young generation"

2024-08-31
The Diocese of Lodwar, where the second largest refugee camp in Kenya lies

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - "We are compelled to express our deep concern about the disturbing political climate in our country," say the Bishops of Kenya in a statement entitled "Let Us Restore Hope in Kenya", presented yesterday, November 14, at a press conference.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Kenya has once again expressed the serious concerns of the population in the face of the climate of political violence in which the country has found itself for months following the demonstrations against the finance law and the rise in the cost of living (see Fides, 1/7/2024).
"The political disputes have created unjustified tensions and deepened the divisions among our people," the Bishops stressed. "Despite the calmness we are experiencing, there is a lot of anxiety, and most people are losing trust in the Government."
The Kenyan Bishops' Conference criticizes the "lack of sensitivity and irresponsibility" of the Kenyan political class, which includes "some of the best-paid parliamentarians in the world," as well as the climate of lies and corruption that characterizes the national political system.
The bishops are "horrified" by the recurring cases of "abduction, disappearance, torture and murder of Kenyans" and recall the many families who are distressed by the death, injury or disappearance of their sons and daughters for participating in "Generation Z demonstrations".
Of particular concern is "the increase in the murders of women." This has "caused great consternation, anger, and disgust." Regarding the missing persons, the bishops ask: "Who is abducting these people? Is the government unable to stop these abductions and murders?" In this regard, the Bishops' Conference calls on the government to respect the Constitution, which in Article 26 obliges the State to protect every human life.
As for the economic situation, the Bishops recall the "unresolved issues we have raised recently with the government, over taxation of Kenyans, the hiking of the Missionary work permits, youth unemployment". "We thank God for holding together despite the political and social upheavals," says the statement, which is accompanied by an appeal to all Kenyans to pray for Kenya, and in particular the Catholic faithful, who are invited to prepare for the Holy Year 2025 as 'Pilgrims of Hope'. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/11/2024)