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Kenya: CAFOD appeals for peace ahead of elections


Mother & child, Turkana region - pic New Ways

Mother & child, Turkana region - pic New Ways

As Kenya gears up for its general elections on 4 March, CAFOD is calling for a peaceful and fair outcome, and for all those involved to demonstrate strong leadership and to do everything in their power to make these elections credible and successful.

Reports of hate speech being spread in certain areas in the country is a cause for grave concern, coming on the back of the recent upsurge in violence in parts of Northern Kenya, the Tana River Delta and the Coastal region which have been linked to the forthcoming elections.

Catherine Ogolla, CAFOD’s East Africa Programme Manager, said: “Violence of any type divides communities, so all people of God must stand together for peace and unity during this time, sending the message out that violence will not succeed, and will not be allowed to divide the nation. Every right-minded person in Kenya is praying for peaceful elections and hoping that the lessons of the past have been learned.’’

Kenya was crippled by post-election violence in 2007-08 when the results were contested and violence spilled out on to the streets, leading to more than 3500,000 people being made homeless and more than 1,100 being killed.

CAFOD is pleased to note that all the Presidential candidates on Sunday 24 February, made a public commitment at a peace rally in the capital Nairobi to ensure the elections are peaceful before and after voting. CAFOD is supporting the Catholic Church with its election observer role and the Church has dedicated its Lenten campaign to a peaceful and united Kenya.

Religious leaders from different denominations also organised a debate for all the Presidential candidates; the debate focusing on the moral dimensions of good leadership and peaceful co-existence of people of all faiths.

Catherine Ogolla continued: “The Kenyan people need a sustained commitment to peace, democracy and good governance. We cannot afford for the social fabric of Kenyan society to be ripped apart again, threatening national cohesion, leaving thousands homeless and reversing Kenya’s democratic and political gains. These are no ordinary elections; the world is watching and we hope and pray that regardless of who wins, Kenya can look ahead to a peaceful democratic future.”

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