AFRICA/KENYA - "To die for elections is unacceptable": condemnation of the Bishops regarding post-election violence

Monday, 21 August 2017 elections   bishops   violence  

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - The Kenyan opposition has appealed to the Supreme Court for the victory of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 presidential election against Raila Odinga. The latter contested the electoral outcome by denouncing fraud in the electronic voting (see Fides 9 August 2017). On August 11th, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEBC) declared Kenyatta's victory with 54.27% of votes against Odinga, who had obtained 44.74%.
In some areas of Kenya violence exploded which led to at least 28 deaths. "To die because of elections is unacceptable", said the Bishops of Kenya in a statement released on August 17. "One should not allow similar things to happen in a civil society like Kenya".
The anti-riot police units are also under accusation whose intervention in at least two cases killed a six and a ten-year-old girl.
The Bishops have condemned security officials who brutally dealt with demonstrators when it was their duty to protect them, a move that led to "painful loss of lives and destruction of property".
The Bishops also thanked the Kenyans who went to vote, demonstrating "sense of patriotism and love for our nation". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 21/8/2017)


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