Nairobi — The Kenya Episcopal Conference has appealed to the wrangling factions in the ruling coalition to put an end to their power struggles, realize development and only strategize for the 2007 elections when the right time comes.

The 29 serving Catholic bishops, in a press statement issued on Thursday, April 29, 2004, made an evaluation of Kenya's 15-month-old new government, carefully outlining its achievements and the challenges that lie ahead. The statement is entitled, 'That They May be One'.

"We have said it in the past that the unending wrangling within the ruling coalition continues to create discord in our society today," the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC) said. "We appeal, once more, that these wrangles that are based on power struggles must come to an end for the sake of national unity."

Acknowledging that "building a coalition is easier than maintaining one", the Catholic bishops, however, said that "political parties should seek dialogue, mutual respect and co-existence."

"Unfortunately, our leaders are gradually losing touch with those they are supposed to serve, and the gap between them and the public is growing daily," the KEC lamented. "While Kenyans are yearning to realize development, the political leadership is still in the election mood.

Politicians should concentrate their energies on development matters and wait to cross the 2007 election bridge when we get to 2007."

The bishops applauded gains made in the transport sector, the repossession of public land, improved donor relations, the fight against corruption and the provision of free primary education.

Challenges highlighted in the statement include insecurity and incitement to violence, the constitutional review process (which has generated a lot of heat), and ways of improving the economy.