OPENED PASTORAL LETTER TO H.E. HON. KOFI ANNAN HEAD OF THE AU MEDIATION TEAM, FROM BISHOPS AND CHURCH LEADERS FROM NYANZA, WESTERN AND RIFT VALLEY PROVINCES.

Editorial: (The releigious leaders start their open letter with the following “the people of Kenya feel cheated ………. (Are they representing all the Kenyans? (API editorial)

The people of Kenya feel cheated and betrayed by 1^st term of President Kibaki’s administration in the following areas:

1.       In the year 2002 NARC Government was overwhelmingly voted into power, headed by President Kibaki on a platform of change on Zero tolerance to corruption, eradication of tribalism, equity and accountability.

a)      The Kenyan people have not experienced meaningful change they were expecting as promised.

b)      Corruption has doubled during Kibaki’s rule – He failed to address grand corruption on Goldenberg and Anglo leasing which have robbed Kenya of colossal sums of monies.

c)      Tribalism is at its highest point and can be seen in personnel and resource allocation, favouring mostly one community to the exclusion of over 40 other tribes of Kenya.

2.       When Kibaki was elected he told Kenyans at UHURU PARK Dec 30, 2002, that he

would produce a new Constitution to ensure equity, good Governance and a just society

within a hundred days. This was not to be. With the exertion of a lot of pressure by Kenyans

he came up with a status quo Kilifi draft which Kenyans rejected in November 2005

referendum.

3.       Kenyans are people with a purpose and in 1992 fought for democratic space which ushered

      in  the first multiparty elections. When NARC came to power in 2002 under Kibaki, he began

      stifling the democratic gains, and examples are many:

a)      He went against the IPPG (Inter party parliamentary Group) Spirit of respecting political parties and democracy. In 2003 for example he lured several MPs from KANU then the official opposition party and others to join the Government without observing the rules of IPPG. The opposition party went to court but upto now the judiciary headed by Justice Evans Gicheru has not given a hearing date for the case.

b)      Between 2003 – 2007 Kibaki blatantly disregarded democratic principles replacing the ECK with his cronies without giving other political registered parties a chance to nominate commissioners to the Electoral commission. This was again a manifestation of defiance against the Spirit . this is what brought the present problem when the new commissioners falsified figures and rigged election

c)      Communities and politicians who voted against Kibaki’s Kilifi Constitution were ejected from their ministerial positions and in the Civil Service those perceived to be sympathizers of Bomas Draft were also ejected from their positions in the Civil Services and their desire to serve the Nation extinguished at prime age…

4.      Kenyans are yearning for a constitution they participated in making and that constitution is the BOMAS DRAFT CONSTITUTION which was a real face of Kenya, by Kenyans for Kenya. It took the input of all tribes, civil society, Government, Churches, special and Marginalized groups etc. it was about Wanjiku & Anyango, it was about reducing the power of the imperial presidency and devolution of power and resources to ensure equity, growth and development.

Without it: -

a)      No meaningful growth and development can be realized.

b)      No commission of inquiry can be meaningful. We have had many inquiries under this failed constitution and no results have been forthcoming.

c)      No good governance and respect for power and authority can be achieved. Kenyans would continue languishing in poverty and displacement in their own land.

d)      No justice and lasting peace can be realized.

5.       One of the most contentious issue haunting Kenyans and which we believe His Excellency Koffi Annan saw during his visit to the Rift valley is the issue of Land and settlement. Land owned by White settlers in Kenya, was to be purchased by the Kenyan Government through a grantly by the British Government way back in 1960’s under the million acre scheme to resettle the Landless. The Government instead put that money into the hands of few individuals, who formed land buying companies eg Ngwataniro, Nyakirinywa and others and began pushing the people into the Rift Valley unprocedurally. Who bought the White Highlands? And who were settled in those Highlands as the British House of Commons had directed? Could it be only a few capitalist took all these millions of acres for themselves? If so what can be done to harmonize this anomaly?

6.       we urge His Excellency Koffi Annan to also visit other regions affected by abuse of human right like Kisumu, Mombassa, Kakamega and Mumias and not only selected areas which government mandarins want him to go   

7.  The Party of National Unity andSome religious Leaders from the Main stream church

     organizations who are not ready to stand for transparency are now pushing for the formation

     of truth and justice commission to  

     address what is happening in the country. Yes, if the truth be told then it should cover all

     historical injustices from 1960’s and this is only possible when there is a new constitutional  

     dispensation (Bomas Constitution)  which has the capacity to turn the Country around.

     Kenyans must have faith in their spiritual Leaders like the Prophets of old

     .

          

7.      Lastly is the issue of insecurity and the Government security apparatus as left a lot to be 

       desired.

a)      That the Ugandan Troops have been deployed in several parts of Nyanza, Rift valley and Western Provinces of the Republic of Kenya.

b)      That warrior – Like groups eg the Mungiki are being transported from Central Kenya & Nairobi to the Vast Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western Province on a killing mission.

We want to observe the following: -

a)      Kenya is a sovereign state and no foreign troops can pass on to Kenya without the knowledge of parliament. Kenya is not ripe for occupation by a foreign troop. We will not be occupied by Ugandans.

b)      If warriors were to be used to protect citizens, then we are afraid we can be one of the failed states of the world as every tribe would then raise an army of its own warriors and you can imagine which way the country can go. God forbid!!

c)      The current crisis was not planned in advance as alleged by certain groups of government sympathizers and other peddlers of untruth but was a spontaneous  reaction by the voters against wanton rigging of their votes in the just concluded general elections. It is not logical for Kibaki to be perceived as the winner in the election with a lead in only two Provinces and the rigging was so massive that any sensible person can affirm that the elections was stolen. We should bear in mind what the Bible says in Proverbs 6: 30 – 31 that…Yet when the thief is found, he must restore seven fold……..

d)      In the real sense it is hard to convince Kenyans that the Government can be formed with a minority since Hon. Mwai Kibaki only got 47 Members of Parliament while Hon. Raila Odinga got 99 Members of Parliament it is open to all Kenyans that ODM in the last general elections took the day with majority MP’s and civic leaders.

Our prayer is that H.E Kofi Annan mediation  talks lead to the formation of an interim government pending a presidential re – run inorder for Kenyans to get a democratically elected government that will bring sigh and relief and put us back to the map of democracy.

God bless the Mediation Team.

God bless our Leaders.

God bless Kenya.

Dated 30^th January 2008

Signed by Bishops

BISHOP WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE

POWER OF JESUS AROUND THE WORLD CHURCH & COORDINATOR CHURCH FOR CHANGE NYANZA.

BISHOP FRANCIS MWAI ABIERO

ANGLICAN CHURCH

ARCHBISHOP SILAS OWITI

VOICE OF SALVATION AND HEALING CHURCH

BISHOP ZEPHANIAH OUMA ORAO

NEW WINE EMMANUEL SHALOME CHURCH

ARCHBISHOP JULIUS OTIENO OLOO

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

BISHOP PETER CHEMASWET

BATIST CHURCH

BISHOP PATRICK MUGANDA

FRIENDS CHURCH

BISHOP JOSHUA KOYO

CHAIRMAN NCCK NYANZA REGION

BISHOP CHARLES AGWATA

OBEDIENT PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD

REV. ELIUD NYAKUNDI

PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY OF GOD

BISHOP JAPHETH OMUCHEYI

OVERCOMING FAITH INTERNATIONAL

BISHOP JOSHUA KANGIE

CHURCH OF GOD AND PROPHECY

BISHOP LAWRANCE OMAMBIA

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST CHURCH INT.

BISHOP SHEM ABUDI

FULL GOSPEL DISCIPLES CHURCH

REV. PAUL BWABI

CHURCH OF GOD

BISHOP SHEM SHAMALA

AFRICAN HOLY CHURCH

REV. WILLIAM OSEN

KISUMU CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTER.

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