Embrace Dialogue and Transparency for Peaceful and Credible Elections
July 25, 2022
Press Statement
Senior religious leaders drawn from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches of Kenya have met to review the state of the nation with regard to readiness for the 2022 General Elections. During our consultation, we reflected on the scripture recorded in Amos 3: 3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
- Centrality of Transparency and Accountability
As a nation, we have all desired to have peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. To achieve this, each of us is required to play their role in a transparent and accountable manner. This is the wisdom that God shares with us in 1 John 1: 7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another
We now call upon all the institutions and agencies that have a role to play in the General Elections to embrace and exercise transparency in all the elections-related activities, contractual obligations, and processes. Kenyans have a right to know what every institution is doing on their behalf, and so all institutions must enhance their strategic public communications. Transparency will also promote synergy of the engagements of the different stakeholders.
- Embrace Dialogue
It is in this regard that we have followed the accusations and counter-accusations between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Security of the nation and the elections is very crucial, and should not be processed through the media.
We advice the IEBC and the National Police Service to dialogue over the subject issue with dignity, national respect and public trust. Church leaders are ready and available to mediate.
Further, we call upon all ministries, departments and agencies playing a role in the general elections to use the Multi Sectoral approach. No agency can deliver free and fair elections on its own.
- Call for Peace and National Cohesion
The message of Romans 14: 19 is very appropriate for the 2022 General Elections:
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
We call upon every Kenyan to resist and refuse to participate in any action or communication that could lead to hatred, tension and violence. We must not destroy our country just so that some people get into positions of power. Let each of us make a personal commitment to promote peace and national cohesion before, during and after the elections, and to exercise our democratic right to vote.
- Conclusion
The Constitution of Kenya in Article 81 (d) anticipates that Kenya will hold free and fair elections that are free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption, and which are conducted by an independent body.
We call upon all institutions and agencies that have a role in the elections to embrace dialogue to avoid creating anxiety in the country and to promote peace and national cohesion before, during and after the elections.
Signed on this 25th day of July 2022 at Ufungamano House, Nairobi.
Rt Rev John Oballa
Chairman, KCCB-CJPD
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary, NCCK
