Persistent Insecurity in Two Kenyan Dioceses “unfortunate, regrettable”: Bishops

Peace and security experts have argued that beyond conflict resources, factional interest groups have exploited ethnic vulnerabilities for political and economic gain.

Narok, the County within the Catholic diocese of Ngong, has had frequent inter-ethnic violent clashes over land and cattle rustling among the dominant pastoralist communities.

“We strongly condemn these barbaric acts and appeal to the concerned communities to embrace peace, love and harmony. Only then will development be realized for their common good,” the Bishops in Kenya say referencing reported cases of violence in the Kenyan Counties of Marsabit and Narok.

Considering the “myriad of challenges” that the people of God are facing in these localities amid COVID-19, the Bishops note, it is too much “to again be subjected to uncalled for conflicts, killings and other forms of sufferings.”

The attacks are “saddening,” the Bishops say, and call on Kenya’s Ministry of Interior to conduct “speedy investigations” and bring the culprits to book. Failure to do so is a motivator for perpetrators to continue with their “ungodly practices,” the Bishops caution.

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“Ethnic killings or killings between people happen only in a country or county where law and order (are) not respected,” the Bishops say and continue, “People who feel aggrieved should seek legal redress.”

They appeal to the Kenyan government to “ensure people have faith in the systems of governance. Without this, we are afraid; communities will continue to kill each other as if we are a lawless state.”

To de-escalate the conflict, the Bishops encourage ongoing peace talks among elders from various communities in affected Counties and the implementation of the resolutions that will be reached in order to secure the regions from perennial ethnic conflicts and deaths.

The Catholic leaders in Kenya cite St. Paul who urged the Philippians not to “merely look at our own personal interest, but also for the interests of others,”  and add, “In this regard, we pray and urge all Kenyans to be their brothers and sisters keeper and maintain peace, love and unity.”