Lodwar, 28 September, 2023 / 9:59 pm (ACI Africa).
A section of Catholic Bishops in Kenya are calling for concerted efforts to find lasting peace in the country’s North Rift region which has been hit by security challenges caused by violent conflicts involving cattle rustling among pastoralist groups.
In their Wednesday, September 27 statement following a Holy Mass to pray for peace at Kapedo in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, Bishops John Mbinda of Lodwar, Henry Juma Odonya of Kitale Diocese, and Cleophas Oseso Tuka of Nakuru Diocese called on the people of God to create space for peace building.
“We are very much aware of the challenges that our people in this region are going through and it is for this reason we call upon all stakeholders and all people of goodwill to hold hands together so that we move forward to a lasting solution to the challenges of peace in this region,” the Bishops said in a message that was read out by Bishop Odonya.
They said there is a need to “prioritize the meaningful inclusion and public participation of all groups including youths, local communities, political and religious leaders.”
“We must re-dedicate ourselves to the vision of mutual partnership among all stakeholders in order to foster peace and human development in our region,” they said.