Politicians told to lower political temperatures

Kenya: Religious and community leaders gathering in Nairobi have told politicians to resolve their disputes without raising political temperatures in the country.

In reference to the ongoing tussle between the Jubilee government and CORD over demands to hold a national dialogue, the leaders from across the country said any form of dialogue can happen without putting the country on fire.

National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary General Peter Karanja called on politicians to resolve their disputes within established structures such as Parliament rather that dividing the country along ethnic and religious lines.

“Kenyans should not be at the mercy of the political class whose frequent disputes with each other often take the country on the edge of conflict,” he said.

Rev Karanja said the job of national cohesion and dialogues revolving around the country’s burning issues should be depoliticised and best left to community and grassroots leaders instead of being hijacked by politicians.

At least 300 delegates from various communities across the country gathered in Nairobi for the national conference on cohesion and integration.

The event dubbed the “Pamoja National Conference” is a culmination of various intra and inter community peace engagements at the grassroots level.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto are expected to grace the three-day event organised by NCCK, Inter Religious Council of Kenya, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the Embassy of Denmark Kenya.

National resources

Nominated MP Hassan Osman said more effort and dialogue is needed in the counties to deal with strong feelings of exclusion among some communities by majority communities.

Mr Osman also called on the national Government to match the rhetoric of national cohesion with equity in distribution of national resources, saying lip service would not help in the matter.

“Having conferences on national unity is good, but the important thing is to implement what has been agreed. Otherwise, the conference would just be a talking shop that would add little value to this crucial issue,” he said.

The conference will also provide a platform for the delegates to engage and listen to presentations from various leaders across the political divide, key institutions and renowned local and international experts.

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Secretary General Adan Wachu called for more efforts to strengthen the unity of Kenyans in the face of insecurity and political differences.