Bishops fear violence as protests begin afresh
by Manasseh Zindo in Nairobi
Displaced: Ruth Wanjiru carries her one-year-old daughter Grace as they move from the grounds of the cathedral in Eldoret to a new camp in the town’s showground, which is thought to be safer PA |
| THE Anglican Church of Kenya has expressed its fear that violence might erupt again during the mass action being planned this week by the party opposed to President Mwai Kibaki, who returned to power in a disputed election last month.
The Church has appealed to would-be demonstrators to avoid violence, and to the police to avoid the use of live bullets, to prevent the loss of more lives. More than 500 are said to have been killed in the unrest, triggered on 30 December.
A proposed peace initiative, which was spearheaded by the Ghanaian President, John Kofour, failed last week to bring President Kibaki and the opposition leader Raila Odinga to talks.
The Archbishop of Kenya, the Most Revd Benjamin Nzimbi, told a press conference in Nairobi: “We are not against the idea of mass action, but our fear is that some people may use the event to engage in violence and to loot property. Law enforcers should provide security without excessive force.”
The Church’s 33 bishops met for two days in Nairobi to pray and consult over the political deadlock that has engulfed the country after the disputed presidential election results. They called for mediation between the two sides. They also appealed for amendments to the constitution, to address flaws in the electoral laws and to lessen the power of the President.
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