KENYANS TOLD TO MAINTAIN PEACE AHEAD OF GENERAL ELECTION
BY MAURICE ALAL ( Kisumu -Kenya)

As the election fever and tempo of campaigns peak church leaders have appealed to politicians to maintain peace and encourage co-existence among Kenyan communities to avoid a repeat of the 2007/08 post election violence that saw over 1300 people lose their lives.

Voice of Salvation and Healing (VOSH) Church, leader, Bishop Winnie Owiti in a statement on a forum dubbed ‘inner healing conference’ organized by Kisumu Pastors’ and fellowship Network vowed to ensure the campaigns are done in an environment of peace.

Flanked by the out-going VOSH leader, Archbishop Silas Owiti and several clergymen drawn from different denominations, Bishop Winnie emphasized that the church will push for “politics without bitterness, clanism or tribalism”.

She observed that the country currently faces numerous challenges such as the Al-Shabaab terrorist and threats of secession especially in the coast region owing to what she termed “the wounded and marginalized need to be heard and their issues processed”.

Bishop Winnie said it was unfortunate that Al-Shabaab attacks culminated in bombs exploding in churches across the country killing innocent faithful and pastors thus required unity of purpose and prayers for divine intervention.

On the ICC process and post election violence, the clergy said there was need for true forgiveness, reconciliation and healing to ensure the country moves on as one entity with the people spearheading a common goal.

The forum facilitated by Ellel Ministries with a team from South Africa, United Kingdom ,Rwanda and eight other nations brought together 25 participants including those from Kisumu, Kakamega, Eldoret and their environs.

Its theme was “The church has a central role to play in bringing about healing, reconciliation and unity to the nation”.

Bishop Winnie pointed out that the conference is about equipping leaders with keys to bring healing to its members who are expected to become agents of healing in their families, to the faithful, community and nation at large.

She said that the church transcends denominations, clan and culture thus reaching both the guilty, accused and victims as well as seeking to embrace the wounded until they get healed with the love an example of Jesus Christ and developing the kingdom of God.
END