Church demands stake in national healing process

Evangelical Alliance of Kenya chairman Bishop Mark Kariuki (second right) and Secretary-General Connie Kivuti addressing a press conference at Biblica House, Nairobi on April 25, 2018. They have called for an all inclusive committee on national healing and reconciliation. PHOTO | COLLINS OMULO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Bishop Kariuki said they applaud the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
  • He said that EAK is planning to sensitise their members and the country to hold a national healing dialogue through inter-ethnic and county exchange visits.

A section of religious leaders have called for their inclusion in the taskforce set to work towards national healing and reconciliation after last year’s General Election.

Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has urged the government to set up an all-inclusive taskforce including representatives from the government, the opposition, civil society and the religious sector, to look into ways of healing and reconciliation in the country.

“We are cognizant of the fact that the religious sector is not only the conscience of the society charged to bring about change and transform the nation, but it is still one of the sector that is most trusted by Kenyans,” said Bishop Mark Kariuki, EAK chair.

He was speaking at Biblica House in Nairobi on Wednesday after a meeting that brought together a number of evangelical bishops heads from across the country.

HANDSHAKE

Bishop Kariuki said that as much as they applaud the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, there was need to start national healing from the church.  

He said that EAK is planning to sensitise their members and the country to hold a national healing dialogue through inter-ethnic and county exchange visits geared towards bringing peace, unity and healing to Kenyans.

“Even though the two leaders have shown gesture of working together, the social media is still awash with damaging political comments, ethnic slanting and innuendos which continue to degenerate into dangerously sharp divisions,” said Bishop Kariuki.

INCLUSIVE TALKS

This call was also reiterated by UK ambassador Nic Hailey who called for inclusive talks involving all citizens, the civil society and other actors in the country in the midst of the famous March 9 handshake between the two main political actors in the country.

The envoy said that the talks would give leaders and Kenyans an opportunity to focus on the Constitution and the rule of law.

“As far as the talks are vital, there is need for all Kenyans to engage in open and transparent discussions to make the country move forward,” said MR Hailey during the ongoing 5th Annual Devolution Conference in Kakamega County.

STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONS

He also implored Kenyans to ensure that such discussions strengthen institutions, and deepen respect for the rule of law and the Constitution.

Meanwhile, EAK General-secretary Reverend Connie Kivuti supported President Kenyatta’s stand on matters sexual orientation but called on the government to stop the Comprehensive Sex Education programme in schools.

She urged institutions and individuals involved in funding and/or supporting the anti-family marriage and homosexual agenda to stop as it is against the Constitution.

HOMOSEXUALITY

“We are concerned and aware that homosexuality, drug abuse and alcohol abuse is being introduced to our children in schools. We are asking the government to stop the programme as it is working to advance homosexual indoctrination of our children,” said Rev Kivuti.

The general-secretary also reiterated their stance on monogamy saying that Christians should follow marriage as ascribed in the Bible. He called on , that of one man to one woman calling for Kenyans to arise and be defenders of families.

“We do not advocate for polygamy neither for same sex marriage. Let us protect our families and be defenders of our children’s welfare so that as a nation we can remain strong and morally upright,” she said.