Nairobi, Kenya
Christian leaders in Kenya have intensified their campaign to appeal for peace amid chaos after the declaration of the presidential result on 15th August that saw Deputy President William Ruto defeat Raila Odinga.
The country’s electoral commission declared Ruto, who ran under the United Democratic Alliance party, the winner with 50.5 per cent or 7.1 million. Odinga, who vied under a coalition political party, the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance, garnered 48.9 per cent or 6.9 million. But four out of the seven commissioners of the electoral body have challenged the results while Odinga called it a “travesty”.
Hundreds of angry protesters blocked roads with burning tyres and rocks as they called for the country’s electoral commission to resign following a presidential election they say was rigged.
Riot police officers try to put out a barricade lit by protestors following the announcement of the results of Kenya’s presidential election, near the Mathare slums, in Nairobi, Kenya, on 15th August. PICTURE: Reuters/John Muchucha
Pastor Chris Onyango, of the Salvation Church of Christ, said that the chaos witnessed in some parts of the country could lead to violence that the country has experienced since independence in 1963. The worst violence was during the 2007 presidential election, where more than 1,200 people were killed, and 600,000 were internally displaced. General elections in Kenya are held every five years.
According to Onyango, the citizens had carried out their patriotic responsibility by voting for presidential candidates and should leave the rest to their leaders. He urged the residents to maintain peace as the country waits for further directions from the government and courts if their candidates appeal the presidential results.
“Destroying our brothers or sisters property is not the way to go,” he advised Kenyans. “We still need each other as Kenyans. It’s time for us to be close to our friends and colleagues despite our political differences in order to earn their trust and live in peace.”
He added: “No more blood should be shed. Let our leaders solve their issues amicably, and peace prevails.”
Archbishop Anthony Muheria, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, urged Kenyans to maintain peace.
“Dear Kenyan, keep peace. Let us keep peace,” Archbishop Muheria told journalists after the electoral commission chair announced the presidential results at the tallying center in Bomas, Nairobi. “Dear Kenyans, peace to you. All these leaders, we send you peace. In your woundedness we give you peace.”
Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, of the Anglican Church of Kenya, urged those not satisfied by the election conducted on 9th August to head to court and resolve their issues amicably so that peace could prevail. He warned politicians against inciting their supporters to attack each other and destroy properties, saying that such a move could plunge the country into violence.
“We want to urge the country to remain united, we have families to look after, an economy to grow, children who will go back to school,” said the Archbishop. “We want our nation back. We want to urge all Kenyans to put their anxiety aside. The Bible says the end of the matter is better than the beginning.”
