President Uhuru Kenyatta Catholic bishops in Kenya have called for calm as violent post-election protests led to over 20 people being killed, including a nine-year-old girl.
The protests have ignited anger in slums across Nairobi and Kisumu after Raila Odinga, the main opposition candidate, lost against President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Odinga has travelled through slums saying the government has “blood on its hands” for the deaths of civilians, and accused the government of tampering with the voting process, saying they “stole our votes”.
He has not conceded defeat despite growing international pressure.
As the votes were being counted Bishop Alfred Rotich, retired head of the country’s military diocese, said: “We need to be calm, we need to be sober… this is moment for peace.”
“Politicians spent a lot of money for many years, five years, campaigning without stopping…they don’t have time to reflect.”
He suggested politicians should be restricted to two-month campaigns and recommended stress relief activities for after elections.
In Eldoret, Bishop Cornelius Arap Korir issued a similar appeal. In some areas, his diocese is still recovering from a deadly post-election violence that occurred 10 years ago.
“We urge calm. Those who [are] aggrieved should go to court,” said Bishop Arap Korir.
The Multi-Sectoral Forum, a group of religious leaders that advocate for peaceful elections, called on Kenyans “to remain calm and peaceful [and] resume day-to-day operations, appreciating that elections are important, but must not be the end of life”.