Kenyan catholic bishops continue to express concern over state of the nation, as the political crisis ignited by disputes over repeat Presidential elections continue to deepen.
The crisis is entering its second month and its impact on the economy and population is beginning to show. Catholic bishops have been seeking to mediate in the complex political and social crisis.
“We have reached out at the parties and asked them start dialogue for the sake of peace in the country. There is a huge spilt in the country and we do not want it continue,” said Bishop Alfred Rotich, a retired military ordinariate.
But on Tuesday (October 10), the controversy took a new twist after main opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Supper Alliance (NASA) announced he would boycott the elections. The polls are viewed as key to stabilising the East African nation.
Odinga said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had failed to act on list of demands made to the commission before another election is held.
“There is no intention on the part of the IEBC to institute any reforms to ensure the elections are free and fair,” said Odinga.
The IEBC has picked 26 October as the date for the new poll, but with no clear direction, this has looks in doubt.
The Supreme Court had annulled the earlier polls held on August 8 over illegalities and irregularities in which president Uhuru Kenyatta had been declared the winner. In the ruling on September 1, the court had ordered fresh polls within 60 days.
The opposition has been holding demonstration twice weekly and has promised to take the action daily starting next week. The protests are made to force change within IEBC.
The protests have been turning violent, with protesters clashing with the riot police. They have been burning tyres, blocking roads and looting businesses.
Despite the tensions, protests and confrontations, the catholic bishops insists that what unites the people is more than divides them.
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