Kenyan religious leaders say nation faces political crisis, threat of violence

May 30, 2016

Political polarization in Kenya is "a threat to national peace, cohesion, and unity," the nation's religious leaders warn in a joint statement. 

Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, and Hindu leaders joined in a call for "an urgent political solution to avert an imminent crisis that could complicate next year's election and plunge the country into election violence. They referred to heated disputes about an election commission, which have prompted demonstrations that have sometimes turned violent. The religious leaders exhorted both government and opposition leaders to call off new demonstrations. "Kenyans will hold them accountable should the country slide back to anarchy," they said.

The joint statement was issued after a meeting that included the Kenyan Catholic bishops' conference, the National Council of Churches, the Council of Imams and Preachers, the Evangelical Alliance, the Organization of African Instituted Churches, the Hindu Counil, and the Seventh Day Adventists.

 

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Further information:

• Religious leaders: "Urgent political solutions to avoid the country plunging into violence" (Fides)