Bishops in Kenya have urged citizens to vote peacefully as an election on August 8 looms – while a drought ravages the nation.
Historically elections in Kenya have been extremely violent, with over 1,000 people killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in 2007 and 2008.
The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Philip Anyolo, said: “We need to create a peaceful environment to demonstrate our patriotism for our wonderful country and ensure that all parts are in peace.
“We are calling on all Kenyans to seize this opportunity to exercise our constitutional right and give ourselves leaders of integrity,” he added at a press conference.
Ten years ago violent demonstrations erupted after claims the election was rigged, incumbent Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner and candidate Raila Odinga rejected the poll.
“We don’t want to see the divisions and violence we experienced in 2008. It was so bad, so bad…” said Bishop Arap Korir, whose Rift Valley region was most affected by the violence.
Peace
The bishop said religious leaders are taking key roles in promoting peace as most candidates are members of churches, mosques or temples.
“We are saying how to help them at this crucial time of elections, how do we diffuse the tensions. We have been sharing a lot as religious leaders,” Bishop Korir added.
In Turkana, northern Kenya, 17,000 children are already severely malnourished as charities battle to keep people alive.
Out of the one million people that live in the region, 80% earn less than 90c a day. The Catholic Diocese of Lodwar caters for the whole region of Turkana, they have expressed fears of what the future may hold as the elections draw close.
The diocese run the majority of hospitals and schools in the region, and believe a new administration may cut their funding and violence could bring instability – according to the Chancellor of the Diocese and Irish Missionary, Tony Woods.