Religious leaders in Kenya comprising main Christian denominations and Muslims have acknowledged good will on the part of the government and the opposition coalition in resolving the stalemate over the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

IEBC is under pressure from the main opposition in Kenya, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) to quit, accusing the commission of bias, incompetence and corruption.

“We take this opportunity to appreciate the willingness by both Jubilee and CORD to stand down from the past grandstanding and accept to sit around the table and talk,” the religious leaders stated in a Press Statement issued in Nairobi Wednesday.

CORD’s pressure has been exhibited through weekly demonstrations, with threats of having biweekly protests.

In their Press Statement, the religious leaders went on to laud CORD, “for suspending demonstrations so as to facilitate an enabling environment for the consultations.”

The leaders expressed concern about “the rising cases of hate speech and war mongering associated with particular politicians.”

“This trend is worrying and must not be allowed to take root in the country’s political culture,” religious leaders in Kenya stated.

Tuesday, eight members of parliament were arrested over accusations of hatemongering and incitement to violence.

The Kenya High Court has refused to release on bail the eight law makers, ordering that they be detained for five days.

The detained members of parliament include Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) from the Jubilee coalition and Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama from Cord.

“It is our prayer and hope that all political actors will cease organizing demonstrations so as to promote peace and national cohesion,” the leaders concluded.

Below is the full text of the Press Statement by the various religious leaders in Kenya.

Press Statement: Let Reason Prevail in the Electoral Process
 
1.  Preamble
 
We the religious leaders drawn from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and Seventh Day Adventist Church, have met here at Jumuia Place, Nairobi, to reflect on preparedness for the August 2017 General Elections.

As we took time to reflect on the dispute regarding the status of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), we were challenged by the words our Lord Jesus Christ as are recorded in Matthew 5: 9 –“Blessed   are   the   peacemakers,   for they will be called sons of God"

2.  Appreciation for Progress Made in Resolving the IEBC Dispute

As you all know, we have over the last month engaged different actors facilitating the adoption of a viable solution to the dispute regarding the term of office of the IEBC Commissioners.

We are thankful to God for the fruitful engagements we have had with the various actors, and are happy that the two main political formations, Jubilee and CORD (Coalition for Reforms and Democracy), have agreed to participate in consultations to find an amicable solution. We take this opportunity to appreciate the willingness by both Jubilee and CORD to stand down from the past grandstanding and accept to sit around the table and talk.
 
Of note, we commend the leadership of CORD for suspending demonstrations so as to facilitate an enabling environment for the consultations.
 
Moving forward, we urge both formations to embrace the task ahead with zeal, commitment and mutual cooperation so that agreements are reached with regard to transitioning of the IEBC Commissioners as well as the broad framework that will guarantee Kenyans peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2017.
 
The first step in this direction will be the tabling of a motion in both Senate and National Assembly to facilitate the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee that will steer this process. It is our prayer that this motion will be tabled and passed this week and that all Members of Parliament will support the initiative for the betterment of our nation.
 
We also remind both Jubilee and CORD that Kenyans expect goodwill from politicians and not political manipulation, hence they will not accept to be held at ransom over political disputes that result in deaths and destruction of property.

3.  Message to all Kenyans
 
Our brothers and sisters, we wish to urge all Kenyans to read and fully understand the IEBC Act and to propose ways of reforming the electoral framework by way of memoranda once the proposed Joint Select Committee begins its work. This will not only guarantee you an opportunity to voice your concerns on IEBC but will also ensure that the process is not left to politicians alone.

4.  Message to Parliament
 
While we appreciate the legislative role of Parliament, we remain cognizant of the fact that at times this right has been used by mischievous politicians to frustrate sound legislation that touch on matters of national importance. It is our hope that the political grandstanding Kenyans have been treated to over the past few weeks will not spill over to Parliament and derail the process.

5.  Hate Speech
 
We have taken note of the rising cases of hate speech and war mongering associated with particular politicians. This trend is worrying and must not be allowed to take root in the country’s political culture.    Consider
 
Elections next year, all pending cases of hate speech must be dealt with expeditiously and those found culpable be convicted. We urge the Office of the Director of Public

Prosecutions, the Inspector General of Police and the Judiciary to keep in mind that the law must not be enforced selectively. As the main institutions constitutionally mandated to enforce the law, you must make it clear to all Kenyans that committing crime is an expensive engagement.
 
We urge for an urgent consultation between the three institutions on how to handle hate speech cases. Our strong recommendation is that all cases that come to the courts be prosecuted and dispensed within not more than two weeks.
 
6.  Conclusion

We conclude by affirming our support and commitment to promoting a peaceful and amicable solution to the IEBC dispute and any other critical national issues, and in this way contribute to the national preparedness for the August 2017 General Elections. On their part, it is our prayer and hope that all political actors will cease organizing demonstrations so as to promote peace and national cohesion.
 
May God bless Kenya.

Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) - Rt. Rev Cornelius Korir

National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) - Rev. Canon Peter Karanja

Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) - Bishop Mark Kariuki

National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) - Hessein Sharif

Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC Kenya) - Archbishop Maret S.N

Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) - PR.  Festus Njagi

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) - Vaad M. Khaisallah