Catholic church wants Azimio anti-government protests suspended

Kisumu residents participate in anti-government mass protests. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The Catholic church has called on Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance to immediately call off anti-government protests urging the opposition leaders to seek an audience with President William Ruto over their concerns.

Archbishop Philip Anyolo, of the Nairobi archdiocese on Sunday, April 2, warned that the protests will plunge Kenyans into deeper socio-economic problems.

Anyolo who spoke when he presided over a Palm Sunday at St Mulumba Catholic Church in Thika, Kiambu County, also called for the suspension of gatherings by politicians, including prayer rallies, especially those that have been organised by the government.

He noted with concern that some statements that have been made during those meetings saying they are likely to turn Kenyans against each other and must therefore be stopped.

Archbishop reiterated that the church is ready to broker a peace deal between the government and opposition leaders, who are led by ODM leader Raila Odinga, Martha Karua of Narc Kenya and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

"Ruto and Odinga do not necessarily have to shake hands but can have a conversation that will stop the unrest for the betterment of the country," Anyolo said noting Catholic bishops have been meeting weekly in Nairobi to look into ways through which they can help end the crisis.

He added: "We are ready to engage all political actors in a conversation to will unite Kenyans. The heightened animosity between the government and the opposition is also affecting the social-economic well-being of neighbouring countries."

"We are calling on politicians to relax their hard political stands and embrace dialogue for Kenya's sake."

He said the Catholic church is disappointed with leaders he said have chosen to spread hate, seek revenge and anarchy without caring about how the same might affect the country. "We are challenging both the opposition and the government to face reality and look for a solution to this crisis before things get out of hand."

After he was blocked from entering Jacaranda grounds in Eastlands, Nairobi, last Thursday, the opposition chief announced a mother of all protests, scheduled for Monday, February 3, to pile more pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government to address their concerns among them the high cost of living.

Raila has also claimed that his victory during last year's elections was stolen and wants the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) opened for scrutiny. The opposition went ahead on Saturday to publish, on his social media pages, what he said were the correct election results that showed had won the presidential election.

Azimio also wants the ongoing process of picking IEBC commissioners to stop saying it is not fair are all players have not been involved to ensure an impartial poll agency.

Odinga who addressed journalists at his Karen home in Nairobi accused the police of high-handedness but vowed this will not stop his supporters across the country from staging protests.