Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - “The vast majority of our leaders show a blatant insensitivity to the needs of our people. They pursue their own selfish interest, thus nurturing greed and corruption. Goods and wealth which rightfully belong to the people are being arrogantly misappropriated.” Thus, the Bishops of Kenya express their deep disagreement with the situation of the country, in a declaration published at the close of their Plenary Assembly and signed by Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi and President of the Kenyan Bishops' Conference, and by the other 24 Bishops of the country.
In the document, which has been sent to Agenzia Fides, the Bishops denounce the fact that “manipulation along tribal lines is dividing rather than bringing people together. People from one area seem to have a different agenda from those of the other. Human Rights are being violated Even religion is being used in a sinister way to justify the lust for power.”
This situation is having a disastrous effect on civil society, the Bishops say. “People have lost their respect for the basic institutions of the state, the provincial administration, police, the elders and indeed the family. It is a depressing situation.”
Among those who most suffer in this situation are the youth, who are “particularly vulnerable due to high unemployment, poor formation and manipulation by unscrupulous people.”
Among the recent episodes that show the growing insecurity of the nation, is the massacre of Karantina, in which various members of the Mungiki sect were affected (see Fides 21/4/2009). “The Catholic Church condemns without reservation the brutal killings attributed to Mungiki.”
There is a profound ethical crisis taking place in the country and “all of us must shoulder some blame,” the Bishops write, including the Church “which does not preach love and unity in a practical down to earth way. There is no need to re-write the Ten Commandments. They are to be understood and implemented.”
Another serious problem affecting Kenya is the scarcity of food, do to the drought, but also due to the speculation with food prices. In the month of December 2008 alone, the prices of food increased 37.5% (the growth rate in November was 2.6%) and according to local authorities, 10 million Kenyans could die of hunger. “In a country like Kenya there is no justification for anyone to be hungry or suffer the consequences of drought. Even when nature does not follow its usual course (which could be the case this year) arrangements can be put in place to feed all our people,” the Bishops say, making an appeal for national solidarity and inviting the government to place controls on prices. “While those who have (MPs included) must make sacrifices to help those who have not. There must be good organization on the ground to move food supplies about the country and there must be price control on basic commodities – at least for the next twelve months. This should be a priority for our Parliamentarians.”
The Bishops conclude with an appeal for hope: “Easter time should be a time of joy and hope. Jesus Christ by rising from the dead has overcome death the greatest of all evil. We too, with the help of true patriotic Kenyans can pull back from the abyss. The Church has hope that our heartfelt pleas will be listened to by all people of good will. Where there is a will there is a way.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2009)
