Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
25 September 2007
Nairobi — The Catholic Church has expressed disquiet over what is suspected to be a return of political violence ahead of this year's general elections.
Archbishop John Njue, chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, said the bishops were "saddened by the politically-motivated violence that has occurred in the past few days. This is quite unfortunate, especially at this time when various partners are pursuing a collective peace process, through Chagua Amani, Zuia Noma [choose peace, prevent chaos] Campaign."
The church's concern follows an outbreak of chaos in Kisii, southwest of the country, on Friday, the day that religious leaders launched the national peace campaign at a ceremony attended by President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi.
On the same day a public meeting organised by the Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya (ODM- K) was disrupted in Busia, in the west of the country, by suspected supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In the more serious incident in Kisii, two ODM leaders were injured by supporters of Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae when they turned up at a fundraiser organized by the minister.
Marauding youths armed with swords, clubs, bows and arrows attacked legislators William Ruto and Omingo Magara. Nyachae claimed that the opposition leaders provoked the violence by attending his function without invitation. But ODM countered that its leaders were free to attend the function as it was held in Magara's constituency.
The violence is seen as resulting from the battle for regional supremacy between Nyachae and Magara. Nyachae, so far the most influential politician in the area, supports President Kibaki who is seeking a second term, while Magara is presidential candidate Raila Odinga's point man in Kisii.
"Meting out violence as a form of political mobilization is not acceptable for the stability and prosperity of our country," Archbishop Njue said. "We call upon all political parties and party leaders to have maximum restraint during this very sensitive campaigning period."
Recently, a NARC-Kenya party meeting in Machakos was disrupted by ODM-K supporters, and around the same period, Stanley Livondo, an aspirant for Odinga's Lang'ata Constituency in Nairobi was violently attacked while on the campaign trail.
Women aspirants have also been targeted in attacks meant to intimidate and traumatize them, Archbishop Njue pointed out.
"The emerging scenario is that no political party seems to be above reproach regarding violence. Going alongside this is name-calling, which is a very cheap way of seeking popularity," he said.
"Unfortunately where cases of violence are being experienced, it is again the youth who are being used by politicians as instruments for these dirty and very risky tasks. This is unacceptable and should be condemned by all quarters."
Archbishop Njue called upon the youth to refuse to be misused by politicians.
On Sunday, the Catholic bishop in charge of young people, Salesius Mugambi of Meru, made a similar appeal while presiding over a national youth Mass in Nairobi. He said that "many a times, politicians have misused young people by funding them to cause chaos during political rallies as part of their campaigns. I appeal to you today not to allow this to happen".
Last week, the Catholic Church reiterated its call for peaceful electioneering. "As we enter the campaign and electioneering period, we are calling for calm, tolerance and adherence to the rule of law. Let all players put peace before their personal interests," said Bishop Peter Kairo, chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.
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