National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to ease tensions in the country and manage the expectations of their supporters.
General secretary Rev Canon Peter Karanja said the two leaders hold the key to peaceful co-existence among their supporters.
He at the same time, he lauded National Super Alliance (Nasa) move to challenge President Uhuru victory in court.
“We call upon all Kenyans to carry on with their lives as they await the outcome of the Supreme Court process. Let all the people prepare to be guided by the judgement of the Supreme Court as regards the next course of action so that the 2017 elections are brought to a closure,” he added.
To prevent the re-occurrence of violence after polls, he urged the next government to prioritise efforts to unite all communities and reverse the toxic narratives that create conflict.
He urged that mechanisms be explored for the realisation of substantive inclusivity in both National and County governments to enhance justice and national dignity.
At the same time, the religious group urged the newly elected county chief to safeguard the gains of devolution.
“The Executive Committee observes that the conflict and destruction that has occurred repeatedly around elections is usually an expression of grievances and suspicions that remain latent in normal life. We urge that whoever forms the next government prioritises the breaking of the walls that divide communities and reverse the toxic narratives that create conflict,”the statement read in part.
Rev Karanja and the chairperson Rev Canon Rosemary Mbogo said the inaugural devolved units were undermined by massive corruption and dismal performance.
” The devolved units of governance were meant to bring services closer to the common person as a way of addressing socio-economic challenges, and thus governors have a cardinal responsibility to device strategies that reduce wastage of public resources, promote public participation and enhance service delivery,” said Mbogo.
They also called on the government to compensate families that lost loved ones during the post-election violence.
“We urge the government to show compassion to the families of the victims and provide them with financial and material support as they come to terms with their losses,” said Karanja.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) should thoroughly complete the investigations and bring to book any members of the police service who are found culpable”.
They urged the security agencies to intensify the execution of their mandate to assure all Kenyans of the safety of their lives and property, saying ‘there is growing concern regarding the continued attacks on civilians by terrorists at Lamu”.
