Sort out your issues – Bishops tell Uhuru, Ruto
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to shelve their differences and allow for dialogue.
In an address to the public during the 64 assembly of the NCCK on Thursday, August 26 the clergy said the cold relationship between Uhuru and his deputy is a stumbling block in the quest to address the challenges Kenyans are facing.
The statement by the bishops comes after the National Police Service (NPS) reorganized DP Ruto's security in a move that sparked demonstrations in Eldoret and Narok with Ruto's supporters crying foul.
In response to the withdrawal of officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) attached to the DP and their replacement by police from the Administration Police (AP) the NPS said the reorganization was a normal operation.
“The National Police Service through its various units is mandated to provide security to government buildings and critical infrastructure including security to VVIPs and their residences,” Mutyambai said on Thursday.
The bishops pointed out that the differences between the President and his deputy are playing out in the public gallery frequently and in a more unsettling manner.
"The President and Deputy President should explore a path of reconciliation as an example to the nation that dialogue is the best route to peace and cohesive relationships" General Service Unit said.
The bishops called on political players to respect the date of the general elections as prescribed in the constitution urging them to wait until the polls are conducted before going for constitutional change.
"We ask that the general elections be held as constitutionally prescribed on August 9, 2022. We call on all persons to cease and desist from blocking the general elections," the NCCK Secretary General said.
While expressing their support for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) the clergy said that IEBC should be properly constituted and sufficiently financed to carry out its mandate and deliver the 2022 elections.
