End strikes now, clergy tells govt

By RAWLINGS OTIENO

Church leaders have condemned the Government over major lapses in management of national affairs.

The clergy said incidents like the Tana River massacre where 110 people died, paralysis in public schools, universities and hospitals due to the ongoing strikes showed a worrying state of hopelessness.

Religious leaders from the mainstream churches led by Catholic Church head John Cardinal Njue, Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala of Anglican Church head and National Council of Churches of Kenya said the country was now at crossroads.

Also present was Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Stephen Kanyaru, PCEA Moderator Reverend David Riitho Gathanju and Dr Charles Kibicho of NCCK.

“Urged by the same responsibility as shepherds, we note with concern the regretful developments in our country putting under threat the very core of our nationhood,” they added.

On the killings in Tana River, the leaders said they do not understand how the same situation could continue when the government had announced it had beefed up security.

“The fact that this was happening in the presence of security officers raises questions over the ability of government to protect its own people,” they added.

“Put in place mechanisms to ensure that no other Kenyan is killed, hurt, displaced, abused or in any other way mistreated or discriminated upon or looses his property, or feels insecure on the basis of his or her religion or on any other basis as was recently experienced in Tana Delta and Mombasa clashes,” said Wabukala. Addressing a press conference at the Catholic secretariat in Waumini House in Westlands, the church leaders demanded for protection of all citizens and their property.

He said while deployment of GSU officers was commendable, the Government needs to address the root cause of the skirmishes.

Wabukhala, who read the statement, raised concern over lack of solution to the ongoing strikes.

“We are deeply concerned that children and students have had to stay at home when they are supposed to be in school. This is also devoid of the fact that national examinations are only a month away and a lot of anxiety has been created to parents and the students,” he added.

They appealed to the Government to decisively negotiate with teachers, doctors and lecturers over salary increments and other allowances to stem the rising tension.

“The basic rights of children to education, as well as those of workers to a fare wage and of Kenyans to basic health care must be protected,” added Wabukhala.