Live in harmony
“We want to tell the cowards and misguided individuals who planned, supported and perpetrated the beastly acts that you will fail. Kenyans will not fight a religious war. We shall continue to live as brothers and sisters across the country,” said Adan Wachu, Supkem secretary general.
Head of the Anglican Church Archbishop Eliud Wabukala pointed said Kenya was not facing a religious war arguing all faith groups were together against the criminals who perpetrated the church attacks. “To our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters in Garissa and elsewhere in North Eastern, we pray that you will continue to live together in harmony despite the outrageous attacks,” he added.
The religious leaders have also announced plans to visit Garissa to see the churches that were attacked, and preach inter-religious harmony.
They promised to take action against religious leaders who incite their followers against members of other religions and warned clerics who recruit youth to engage in terrorist activities in the name of religion that they were committing a grave sin.
“We hope that our schools and religious institutions will teach the youth tenets of religion, respect, and love for people of different faiths. Let your pulpits be places of preaching peace and love,” said Bishop Boniface Adoyo of Christ is the King ministries.
Maseno North Anglican Bishop Simon Oketch said Kenyans ought to be more vigilant and report suspicious people within their localities to security agencies. “Every Kenyan should mind his security. We should know those whom we are living with, while we expect the Government to protect us, let us take the first step too,” added Oketch.
Retired Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi described the current security situation as terrifying. He appealed to the National Security Intelligence Service to preempt the attacks.
“The wave of attacks is worrying. It is no longer safe for Kenyans to go on with their businesses. Let security agencies move in quickly and save the situation,” he added.
Bishop Joshua Koyo of National Council of Churches of Kenya in Nyanza appealed to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to appoint a substantive Minister for Internal Security and Assistant Minister to deal with insecurity with undivided loyalty. He urged the two leaders to make the appointments without focusing on party affiliation, saying the docket was too sensitive and key to the nation.
“It is not time to cling to the apron of politics in the appointments to this docket. We want the principals to confirm able leaders to serve in these offices,” said Koyo.
The church leaders also called on drivers and other road users to be more careful, to curb the rising cases of road carnage.
– Stories by Martin Mutua, Ngumbao Kithi, Ally Jamah and Francis Ontomwa
