n the past weeks, in Kenya, we have seen how easy it is to
destroy that which is built with hard work, while dialogue remains the only way to resolve problems”, said the archbishop of Nairobi, cardinal John Njue, to MISNA, commenting the crisis in Kenya that has left an estimated 1000 dead and 300,000 refugees.
Njue also discussed the mediation effort: “the mediation is in itself a good thing. The Kenyan Church has asked since the very beginning that the two fronts show themselves to be moderate and open, showing to the people that the Kenyan political class is responsible”. Njue said that the post electoral violence “is not borne out of the hatred among citizens, rather because of an irresponsible electoral campaign, which has contributed to rekindling latent problems and dissatisfaction”.
“The verbal violence has led to the physical one” said Njue, who also observed that poverty, frustration and the failed expectations of many Kenyans have been transformed "into an ideal setting in which to spread the root of resentment and diffidence” used by unscrupulous politicians, who played the ethnic card in hopes of getting more consensus.
The creation of a 'Truth and Reconciliation' mission “is essential to favor the rebuilding of a social fabric - added cardinal Njue – as well as facilitating the resolution of problems, such as that of the distribution of l lands, the root of so many inter-ethnic disputes”.
While, at the end of the five years in power of the Kibaki government, Kenya had made good progress in the economy and social freedoms, widespread corruption and uneven distribution of wealth (60% of the population lives below the poverty line) has fueled widespread malcontent, ready to push thousands of people in the country's slums to riot.
As for the root causes of the violence, especially in some rural areas, cardinal Njue believes that this forces “the institutions to develop a clear land policy” to resolve residence, education, placement and other social issues. “Politics – he said - shall have to find definitive solutions and end once and for all these struggles that appear incessantly in some areas of the country”.
For its part, the Church, can “favor the road to reconciliation –and it is in this spirit that we have asked the faithful not to let themselves go to the temptation of revenge to restore, ever so slowly, peace in the country and hearts of the Kenyan people."
(From MISNA)