National Council of Churches of Kenya

Canon Karanja calls for peace ahead of icc ruling ---- The STAR OF FRIDAY, 20 JANUARY 2012 

BY JUSTUS OCHIENG 

THE clergy have appealed to Kenyans to maintain peace ahead of the decision of the International Criminal Court confirmation hearings.

National Council of Churches of Kenya secretary general, the Rev Canon Peter Karanja and Nyanza Council of Church Leaders chairman Bishop Washington Ogonyo Ngede called for prayers as Kenyans await the verdict any time now.

The six Kenyan post election violence suspects will know their fate by Monday when the ICC pre-trial chamber II is expected to issue its decision on whether or not to confirm charges of crimes against humanity. The six ICC suspects are Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, head of public service Francis Muthaura, Postmaster General Hussein Ali, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua Sang.

Speaking to the Star separately, the clergy called for tolerance and appealed to Kenyans to accept one another regardless of the ICC verdict. Karanja told the Star that Kenyans should wait for justice to take its course adding that there should be no tension. He said the communities should not view the ICC process as an indictment of their society but as a progression to end impunity. "Our political class should not fuel violence in order to help end the vicious cycle of impunity that has characterised our nation for years," he added.

Speaking from Kisumu, Bishops Ngede and Habakkuk Abogno of Church of Christ in Africa also called for peace to reign ahead of the ruling. “We have hopes that at last our people who are down trodden following the post election violence will get justice,” said Ngede. Uhuru who is also the Finance minister and Ruto have declared they will run for the presidency at the next general election.