Kenya’s Religious Leaders Urge Dialogue Based on “clearly defined framework” to End Crisis

“There must be a firm commitment that the outcomes of the process will be implemented to avoid a repeat of what has happened in the past,” says the religious leaders who also include representatives of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).

Leaders of the Azimio One Kenya Coalition and President Ruto-led government have engaged in a political grandstanding, with accusations and counteraccusations.

President Ruto has accused the opposition leader, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, of taking the country towards anarchy. On the other hand, opposition leaders have accused the government of failing to lower the cost of living. 

Mr. Odinga announced three-day anti-government protests, which kicked off on July 19 to push the government to lower the rising cost of living by repealing the Finance Act 2023 amid other demands.

In their July 21 statement, NDF members call upon President Ruto and Mr. Odinga to embrace dialogue based on their recommendation and “end the grandstanding that is pushing the country deeper into crisis.”

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“As the top political leaders in the country, you have a mandate of entrenching a culture of inclusive and multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultations to address issues rather than confrontations,” faith-based leaders in Kenya say.

They advocate for “enabling constitutional commissions and independent agencies to deliver their mandates; addressing transparency, accountability and countering impunity; unemployment, particularly among the youth as some of the agenda to guide the dialogue.”

Making reference to the bi-partisan talks between the opposition and the government that have since been halted, the faith-based leaders call for their resumption “with a single agenda of facilitating the reconstituting of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).”

“We aver that the country is currently in a very precarious position that can lead to an existential crisis should elections be required without a properly constituted commission in place,” the religious leaders say.

They add, “Having an amicable process for recruiting the Commissioners will restore political stability and enable the nation to bring the 2022 General Elections to closure.”

For clarity, the religious leaders continue, “we are not pushing for power sharing between government and opposition, for these two political structures have distinct and cardinal roles outlined in the Constitution.”

“We remind all Kenyans that we are in a delicate situation that requires careful consideration of the actions of each of us. Let us exercise restraint in every situation to redeem our nation from the precipice” NDF members say in the July 21 statement.

Catholic Bishops in Kenya have also called for the resumption of the bi-partisan talks, which they said should happen in an enlarged context, bringing on board faith leaders and “eminent persons and bodies”.

In their July 19 collective statement in which they condemned police brutality on “innocent Kenyans” in the latest round of opposition-led demonstrations, KCCB members said, “We now make this passionate appeal to President William Ruto and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga to give dialogue a chance. We demand that the failed bipartisan talks should be resumed in a different context that brings on board the religious leaders and some other eminent persons and bodies.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.