Presidential petition verdict: Bishops push for Solomonic wisdom

Chairman of Kenya conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Martin Kivuva addresses the press at Holy Ghost Cathedral Church in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]

Catholic bishops have called on the seven supreme court judges to deliver a Solomonic verdict on the presidential election petition.

The chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva also urged Kenyans to resist being persuaded to disturb the peace that has prevailed before and after the polls held on August 9.

Speaking at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa county, Kivuva said Kenyans need peace to enable them to return to their normal work and for children to stay in school.

"We are praying for the Supreme court judges to deliver a Solomonic judgement on Monday. We need truth and justice to ensure peace prevails. We need to allow our children in school and to ensure Kenyans return to their normal engagement," he said.

Archbishop Kivuva said the prayers for the judges should be the affair of every Kenyan to ensure that the country returns to normalcy.

"We should pray for the seven judges," he said.

He added: "No Kenyan should be persuaded to disturb the peace that has prevailed before and after the elections."

He urged Kenyans to support the next leader and all the country to enjoy peace.

He was flanked by the Vicar-General Reverend Father Armogast Mdawida and other members of the church leadership.

He took issue with those who caused chaos at the Bomas of Kenya saying such people took a dangerous path that threatened the country's peace.

"Kenyans have waited in peace and have remained hopeful. Those aggrieved should go to court and not cause chaos," he said.

Meanwhile, Kilifi governor Gideon Mung'aro asked residents and Kenyans at large to remain calm as the Supreme Court gives its ruling on the presidential petition.

Addressing a congregation at Pangani Methodist Church in Kambe/Ribe, Rabai sub county, Mung'aro said it was clear there was anxiety all over the country but expressed optimism that whatever the outcome, Kenya will remain a united country.

"I know there is a lot of anxiety currently because of the expected ruling tomorrow. But I want to ask my people in Kilifi and Kenyans at large to remain calm and wait for the judgment. I know there is some discomfort amongst Kenyans but I believe in our institutions and hopefully the outcome should not in any way divide this country," he said.

In his message yesterday, Reverend Charles Ngala of Methodist church also called for peace during this time when almost everyone was anxiously waiting for the Supreme Court to issue its judgement on the petition.

Present were Kambe/Ribe MCA-elect Morgan Kubo, his Ruruma counterpart Naphtal Kombo and former area MCA Valentine Matsaki.

The seven Supreme court judges led by Chief Justice Martha Koome have retreated to prepare their judgment on the petition filed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua against the declaration of Kenya Kwanza candidate Dr William Ruto as president-elect.

Hearing of the petition was concluded on Friday.