The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has warned against political incitement and the use of goons during campaigns ahead of next year’s elections.
Eldoret Bishop Christopher Ruto asked politicians to stop utterances and actions that are spreading fear among Kenyans, saying they could destabilise the country.
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The church wants the IEBC and National Cohesion and Integration Commission together with the police to play their role in ensuring the country remains peaceful throughout the election period.
“Kenya is our home. We must tolerate and accommodate each other despite the differences we may have in politics. Let’s engage in democratic and healthy politics that keeps Kenya peaceful,” Ruto said.
He spoke after the Cathedral Council meeting at St. Matthew's Church in Eldoret city.
Ruto said the church strongly condemns the recent incident involving the abduction of a journalist from The Standard Group, saying such acts undermine democracy.
He called for the protection of media freedom, stressing that journalists should be allowed to carry out their duties without fear or favour.
The bishop urged elected leaders to stop early campaigns and instead focus on serving the citizens.
"I urge leaders in office to serve Kenyans first. The time for politics and campaigns is not yet here, and it is a great injustice for Kenyans to miss services because of premature politics," he said.
Hundreds of youth from various communities held a meeting in the city, where they urges politiciansto campaign peacefully and focus on development issues to attract votes from Kenyans.
The youth were led by Patrick Ouma, Joel Otieno, Mercy Wamboi, Binface Nangabo and Alex Omondi.
Ouma said Kenyans living in different parts of the country should cherish cohesion, peace and unity which were key to achieving national development.
“As Kenyans we are free to live in any part of this country and there are many benefits in keeping peace and unity between because we can only achieve development through such an environment,” he said.
Wamboi repeated Ouma’s sentiments, adding that time had come for the country to elect leaders who focus on development and not selfish gains.
