Benjamin Muindi
19 May 2008
Nairobi — Kenya can rise from the ashes of the post-election violence and build real peace, the Pope's representative has said.
Apostolic Nuncio, Alain Paul Lepabaun, Sunday said the country could learn from the fall and rise of the Roman Empire.
"At the time in Rome, people could not live in a stable and constructive way because of constant invasions from the barbarians. Every now and then, hordes came to destroy their harvests, pull down their houses, kill and kidnap," he said.
"The existence of any civilisation was threatened with collapse and people wandered everywhere to escape constant threats."
Destruction
He said tension among communities, killings, destruction of property and uprooting of persons witnessed in Kenya could end if everyone sought real peace.
"The effort that went into the peace talks and the signing of the accord by the two political parties was a sign of the desire for lasting stability and peace in Kenya," he said.
The Nuncio stressed that achieving peace is not the responsibility of the signatories of the National Accord alone but of all Kenyans.
"Each one of us should feel responsible," he said.
Take a leaf
The Nuncio was speaking during the opening of an independent gallery at the Nairobi National Museum.
Speaking at the same occasion, Youth and Sport Permanent Secretary, Mr Daniel Maanzo, said Kenyans needed to take a leaf from history to achieve real peace.
"The post-election violence has illustrated the need to strenghthen the ties that unite us," said Mr Maanzo.
The gallery, exhibiting the works of monastic traditions in ancient Rome, aims to promote peace by targeting the youth.
On display are historical notes, commentaries and works of art from ancient Rome.
The exhibition, which runs for two weeks, is open to the public.
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