PRESS STATEMENT BY ALLIANCE OF WESTERN, NYANZA AND RIFT-VALLEY PROVINCES’ BISHOPS OVER PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS

    Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:18:49 -0800 (PST)
   
            In relation to the on-going political events in the country after the just concluded General elections, we as religious leaders from the three Provinces must register our deep concern at the suffering of Innocent Kenyans some of whom have been killed as they seek justice over the Presidential results.
 
Not only Kenyans, but even the outside world know very well that there were serious flaws with the Presidential results announced by the ECK through its chairman Samuel Kivuitu and it is important that the issue be amicably solved fast for harmony to exist in the country as before.
 
It is unquestionable that ODM Presidential candidate Hon. Eng. Raila Odinga won the elections with a landslide margin and we are wondering why some people who even claim to be peace loving Kenyans are forcing the country into a political stalemate and suffering by not accepting this open defeat by the ODM team.
 
It is on that note therefore that we maintain that “Let justice be given to Kenyans first over the elections results and then peace will just be realized in the country as Kenyans have co-existed peacefully with one another for years”.
 
When there is a problem, it must be solved rather than avoiding it as that would result into worse situations. Kenya has a big problem over the shameless rigging of the Presidential results which have caused major public un-rests in six out of the country’s eight provinces.
 
It is therefore crucial that this problem be urgently and seriously solved for peace to be restored in the country. Everybody want peace to be in the country and it is important to note that the hallmark of peace is the existence of Justice so let Kenyans have the justice of being ruled by a President they voted for and won the elections.
 
It is an open secret that the election was rigged to favour one candidate and this is known to Kenyans, both national and International Media, local and international observers including the European Union, North America and other Diplomats and everyone who was monitoring the electioneering process in Kenya.
 
Furthermore even the ECK through its Chair Samuel Kivuitu and five other Commissioners have owned up to this open fact that the tallying process of the Presidential votes in a number of constituencies were fragrantly flawed.
 
  What-else would one expect Kenyans to do? Just sit and accept the flawed results at the expense of Justice? Let’s face reality as we call for peace in the country and the fact and reality is handing over Justice to Kenyans as in our national anthem thus …..Justice be our shield and defender. This will enable the country to dwell in peace and unity.
 
As Members of the three Provinces’ Alliance of Bishops, we therefore hold Kivuitu responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people across the country while demanding for their inalienable democratic birth rights. It is common knowledge that Hon Raila Odinga emerged victorious in the Presidential polls.
 
It is amazing, infact hurting, that some church leaders have come out in support of the verdict of the flawed poll results while knowing well that the elections were rigged. We remind them to read the Bible Romans 1:32 before rushing for selfish gains.
 
The Holy Book reads, “Who knowing the Judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them”. The question is…Why should a religious leader support what he/she knows is bad?
 
It is also NOT logical for Kibaki to be perceived as the winner in the elections with a lead in only two provinces. If someone’s cow strays into your yard that does not mean the cow   belongs to you because the legitimate owner has a right to claim it.
We should also bear in mind what the Bible says in Proverbs 6: 30 - 31 that… Yet when the thief is found, he must restore seven fold……
 
We are also disturbed by the numerous presence of policemen and other armed service officers in public places and we therefore wonder if Kenya is in emergency state to warrant that situation. This heavy presence of armed police officers in our streets and other areas should stop.
 
Kenyans will not allow themselves to be returned to the early dark days when Police was used to deny them a right to hear from their leaders. It is on that note that we demand that MPs and other leaders be allowed to address political rallies and meetings to ease political tension in the country.
 
There are several questions that ECK need to answer as there are various pointers that the results were flawed. Even the hurried manner in which Kibaki was sworn in leaves no doubt to that fact. Whether Kivuitu was coaxed into declaring the looser the winner should be addressed.
 
As the mediation continues, we as Church leaders demand that an Interim government be in place before a Presidential re-run elections are held after three months to enable Kenyans have a President of their choice.
 
Kenyans were eagerly waiting to hear the outcome of the separate mediation talks between Ghanian President who is also the AU Chairman John Kufuor and PNU and ODM teams. It is unfortunate that Kufuor jetted out of the country without letting Kenyans know of what became of the talks.
 
As former  UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan comes in to join other mediation efforts, we ask that the country gets a direction of the stalemate from the mediations because Kenyans want to know of the fate of the elections and their President.
 
Kenyans cannot rest until justice is done as you cannot rob John in order to pay Peter. Let all Churches in Kenya pray for the country as God has confirmed that Hon Raila Odinga won the Dec. 27, 2007 General elections.
 
May God bless our beloved country Kenya,
 
Signed on Jan 11, 2008 by Bishops;
 

   1. Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede - Power of Jesus Around the World Church Int.

   2. Rev. Patrick Muganda - Friends Church International.

   3. Arch Bishop Silas Owiti - Voice of Salvation and Healing Church Int.

   4. Bishop Peter Chemaswet - Baptist Church

   5. Bishop Zephaniah Ouma Orao - New Wine Emmanuel Shalom Church.

   6. Bishop Julius Otieno Oloo - Living Water Church Int.

   7. Bishop Shem Arap Abudi

   8. Rev. Eliud Nyakundi - Pentecostal Assemblies of God.

   9. Bishop Japhet Omucheyi - Overcoming Faith Church Int.

   10. Bishop Lawrence Omambia - Community of Christ Church Int.

   11. Rev. Charles Koruko - Maximum Miracle Church.

   12. Rev. Alphonce Makani - Field Evangelism Church.

   13. Pastor Paul Bwabi - Church of God.

   14. Bishop Shem Shamala - A.C.H Church.