Kenyan bishops call for spirit of integrity ahead of March elections

(Vatican Radio) The bishops of Kenya have issued a harsh statement condemning political parties for their “utter disregard for the rule of law and the tenets of democracy” in the run-up to general elections March 4^th. The bishops appeal to candidates and the Kenyan electoral commission (IEBC) to conduct the upcoming vote in a free, fair and ethical manner to keep the country from descending into violence similar to the 2008 post-election clashes that killed more than one thousand people.

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In a statement signed by their Chairman, Cardinal John Njue, the Kenyan Bishops’ Conference expressed the bishops’ “disbelief” as they watched “as political parties conducted their primaries in utter disregard for the rule of law and the tenets of democracy. We witnessed incidences of chaos, voter bribery, planned rigging, nepotism and total disregard to people’s democratic rights.”

“Reports of rigging, intimidation of opponents and total disregard for political party manifestos,” the bishops write, “are very worrying and recipe for conflict. What is more distressing is that this has happened despite a new constitution, reformed electoral body, new political party guidelines and a reformed judiciary.”

“It is regrettable that parties which have spent several weeks preaching to Kenyans about democracy and rule of law have once again confirmed that this is mere lip service. This leads us to ask, if party primaries can raise so much heat, what will happen during the March 4th General elections?”

“The storming of the IEBC offices by dissatisfied candidates is unbelievable. What type of security system does the electoral body have to freely exercise their constitutional mandate? What can convince Kenyans that the integrity of the office will be protected during the elections?”

“The integrity of the elections body must not be compromised. We challenge the IEBC to exert its authority and independence and win the confidence of Kenyans.”

In their statement, the bishops express their belief “that these challenges are surmountable, especially given the remarkable determination and desire of the ordinary Kenyan citizens to avoid a repeat of 2007-2008 clashes. This requires concerted effort by all Kenyans not to vote in leaders who are seen to be power hungry.”

Call for “new spirit of honesty and integrity”

“For the full implementation of the New Constitution,” the bishops write, Kenyans “require a new mind-set, which puts the people first. A new spirit of honesty and integrity, law and order, which puts the people’s interests first.”

“The people of Kenya deserve better. To put the horror of five years ago behind us, we deserve the chance to hold free and fair elections and the chance to vote without fear and intimidation.”


The Kenyan bishops appeal for a series of actions so that:

“All candidates for electoral positions to commit publicly to respect election rules, campaign peacefully and contest the results through legal, non-violent means;

The IEBC fearlessly defends the constitution and exerts its authority. The several times it moved the deadlines for conducting nominations and submitting names portrays it as a body at the whims of the political parties.

Politicians stop ignoring rules, exploiting grievances and stoking divisions through ethnic campaigning; voter bribery and the use of innocent youth to cause mayhem must stop.

The judiciary should give timely guidance to clear doubt on contentious issues and dispute resolution mechanism to assure the country that any such disputes arising will be handled expeditiously.”

In addition, they call on the Inspector General of police “to put in place clear security plans especially in the vulnerable counties and deploy security personnel accordingly.”

To the politicians and all leaders seeking elective positions, they appeal “to you to be true statesmen and women and put the country first. What legacy do you want leave behind?”

The bishops conclude with an appeal to the Kenyan public at large:
“Our dear Kenyans, we urge you to be peace loving people, promote peace and vote wisely according to informed and formed conscience.
Let us all strive towards a united and peaceful Kenya
“I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. I will remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh,(Ezekiel 11: 19)