Nyeri — The new Catholic archbishop of Nyeri, Peter Kairo, was received on Saturday at a big ceremony attended by clergy and Christians from around the country and senior government officials.

He celebrated his first mass at Ruring'u Stadium, with a new episcopal motto of peace. Nakuru Diocese, where he has been bishop since 1997, has suffered some of the worst ethnic violence in Kenya. It is home to Molo, where ethnic clashes have recurred since the early 1990's.

At the height of the 2007 post-election violence, a priest of Nakuru, Fr Michael Kamau, was killed in cold blood. The diocese was forced to temporarily close down several parishes and evacuate non-native priests.

At his installation ceremony, Archbishop Kairo recalled some of these painful events and pleaded with the people to be instruments of peace, "starting with our families and Small Christian Communities."

Central Kenya is one of the most peaceful parts of the country and has since Independence enjoyed unrivaled economic and political success. It is home to two of the country's presidents (Jomo Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki).

Apparently because of that, the region has become increasingly disliked by the rest of the country as it is perceived to be the beneficiary of long-term corruption, tribalism and skewed allocation of national resources.

Natives of the region living elsewhere suffered the most in the post election violence. The small Rift Valley town of Londiani where Kairo was born today stands in ruins.

Archbishop Kairo asked the people of Nyeri to recall that the country was emerging from very trying moments because of negative ethnicity occasioned by "lack of love."

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs and National Cohesion, Martha Karua (who hails from the area) said politicians incited Kenyans "to kill people who were not of their tribe."

Prime Minster Raila Odinga said "ethnic hatred, exclusiveness and chauvinism which pervade too many souls are conscious choices made by those who harbor such prejudices." He called for "a new campaign to fight prejudice and to teach everyone that we must be our brothers' and sisters' keepers."

Vice-President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka commended the Catholic Church for its work in health and education and praised Archbishop Kairo as an exemplary leader. "The Church should not remain silent when political leaders go astray" because it is "the conscience of the nation."

Archbishop Kairo takes over Nyeri as the archdiocese prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday next year. The seed of faith planted by the Consolata missionaries now has firm roots, but should be deepened, he told the Christians.

He spoke especially of the need to pay close attention to the youth. "We understand that the problems facing the youth not only in this region but in all of Kenya are tremendous. Many of them have even joined outlawed groups and sects. Let's reach out to them to share the love of Christ."