Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Declaring the state of insecurity in which different areas of Kenya live as a "national disaster" and regulate the sale of ammunition to ordinary citizens: are some of the demands made by the "Justice and Peace" Episcopal Commission in the declaration entitled "Kenya, a nation in mourning ... act now", presented during a press conference by His Exc. Mons. Zacchaeus Okoth, Archbishop of Kisumu, President of "Justice and Peace".
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, Mgr. Okoth has urged the government to strategically place the military special forces at border points, to stem the flow of al-Shabaab Somali militiamen in the Country, recalling the massacre which took place on 22 November in Mandera County (northern Kenya on the border with Somalia). 28 people were killed cold-bloodedly by Somali Shabaab militants, who selected their victims based on religious affiliation, killing those who were not able to recite a verse from the Koran (see Fides 24/11/2014 ).
Mgr. Okoth further stated that the Commission presided over by him is favorable to the withdrawal of thousands of civil servants and other workers from north-eastern Kenya, as a temporary measure to safeguard their lives. "If the current situation shows that their lives are in danger in that region, yes, we support their evacuation, but only as a temporary measure", said the Archbishop, who concluded accusing institutionalized corruption for the most serious deficiencies in the area of safety and asking proper training of all personnel of the Country's security. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 01/12/2014)
