Azimio Protests: Bishops Issue 7 Demands To Raila, Ruto

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has called on the Azimio la Umoja coalition to suspend the bi-weekly anti-President William Ruto government protests as the country enters the Holy Week.

KCCB Chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva in a statement dated Sunday, April 2 condemned the violence, mayhem and lawlessness witnessed during the demonstrations in the past two weeks, terming them a glimpse of what Kenya can degenerate into through irresponsible threats and inciting of Kenyans by political leaders, reckless actions by leaders and citizens and gross negligence and mistreatment by the law enforcement agents.

Kivuva accused the country's political leaders of escalating hate, revenge and anarchy with disregard for the country, blaming the government and the Azimio coalition under Raila Odinga for refusing to face reality and giving excuses for their wrong actions as well as playing victim to Kenyans to win sympathy.

Archbishop Martin Kivuva as pictured on December 24, 2019. /DAILY NATION

"We are entering a most sacred time of the Holy Week when Christians commemorate the major events of Christianity. Our Muslim brothers and sisters are also in the Holy Month of Ramadhan. We are greatly disappointed that our ardent plea to our leaders to respect this holy time by suspending demonstrations for respect to God who they claim to give honour has been totally ignored and even mocked.

"If the reasons moving us to whichever actions are truly Godly, the Week of Christ's death, the Holy Month of Ramadhan would touch our leaders" hearts. Kenyans, must we dishonour God for our own goals?" the archbishop posed.

KCCB consequently asked all Kenyans who are God-fearing, including police officers, on their own personal decision, not to participate in demonstrations set for Monday, April 3 and Thursday, April 6, and to refrain from all acts of violence or aggression.

It also urged President Ruto and Raila as well as all the advisors to stop for a moment from pushing the conflict any further, which they claimed is being driven by the political class.

"We have asked before for a sitting to listen to one another. We as Catholic Bishops, now demand a truce and suspension of all political demonstrations from the opposition.

"We also ask for the suspension of celebrative gatherings and prayer meetings organized by the Government and political leaders. With the political nuances witnessed in such gatherings and prayer meetings, we question the intention behind them," Kivuva demanded.

KCCB also demanded an end to all provocative utterances, personal attacks, political agitation and verbal exchange between leaders in Government and Opposition, terming it totally unacceptable by all standards.

It also demanded an investigation and arrest of goons who were engaged in theft and destruction of property and their sponsors.

"It is totally unacceptable that we give reign to unruly and unlawful acts of thuggery and celebrate them.

The grave negligence on the part of the security forces is truly inexcusable. A public apology is called for!" added Kivuva.

The archbishop further requested for special prayers to be organized in all places of worship and in the communities and families during the Holy Week for a lasting solution to the disintegration of the country's hard-earned democracy being witnessed. 

"Finally, we emphasize that the police must carry out their duty without favour in protecting citizens, safeguarding their property and apprehending people who either break the law or take the law in their hands. There should not be discriminative protection or apparent discriminative negligence," the statement added, further calling for a space of calm in order to find ways to address issues and avert violent conflict.

The statement came on the same day a bishop from AIPCA church based in Ruiru, Kiambu County was forced to halt the service upon noticing the presence of the Azimio leaders among them Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. 

According to reports, the service was brought to a stop temporarily midway and the bishop called the Azimio leaders to a room where they held discussions on what message they wanted to share with the congregants.

The bishop reportedly made it clear that he would not allow any political messages to be shared on the pulpit ahead of the Azimio demonstrations on Monday, April 3. 

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaking in the presence of Bishop Anthony Muheria and other church leaders at Capitol Hill in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA