*Dominic Nkoyoyo
Many Kenyans from different ethnic groups, who were evicted from their homes in the post election and ethnic violence that rocked the country in 2007-2008, two years later, are still living in camps and dehumanizing conditions.
Unfortunately several politicians in the NO Camp are again speaking loud and clear that if the YES Camp wins the 4th August referendum for the Proposed Constitution, they are going to evict people from their homes. Anybody from any Camp and from any corner of the country planting seeds of hate and inciting people to violence should be arrested immediately and face the law.
The government and Religious leaders should take the eviction threats uttered by some politicians at public gatherings very seriously, for there are clear indications that we are again on the path to bloodshed and untold misery. These threats are a wake-up call to the government to make urgent arrangements so that it is in position and ready to contain any violence out-breaks in the country.
The government should use every good and justifiable means at its disposal to prevent and to contain violence. Religious leaders on their part should confront members of their congregations engaged in hate speech and inciting people to violence and pastorally help them to stop doing so. They should also organize special Radio and Television programmes for this special time of the referendum to preach tolerance and brotherly love. And to remind God’s people that violence begets violence. And therefore it is not good for anything or for anybody! Instead it destroys the very heart of the one from whom it springs.
A lot of attention should be give to places prone to ethnic violence especially the Rift Valley Province. The 2007/8 violence was too big for the Kenyan Police to contain especially in this very Province! And to make matters worse, they had no vehicles to reach in time where the violence was!
Violence in towns can easily be contained than that in remote and hilly regions with very bad roads. For there is always police presence in the towns and the roads are not so bad. And yet it is in these remote areas that the worst violence happens. By the time Police reaches there it already too late! People’s houses are already burnt down and some are already killed. This I experienced personally in Kipkelion which was hit worst in the 2007/8 ethnic violence. When Police had vehicles, they had no fuel! So the big question at this critical point is: «Should violence erupt in remote areas on or after August 4th is the Kenyan government without external help able to contain it?
*Dominic Nkoyoyo is a Monk at the Monastery Val Notre-Dame, Canada.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this section do not represent the opinions of CISA.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Proposed Constitution
*Collin Davies
God has given us help to find the true and blessed answers to our efforts to frame the best solution for the future of Kenya.
Let us follow the fours steps proposed that follow:
I believe that most of us can easily give up on looking for an answer to the question about supporting or opposing the Proposed Constitution. Taking into consideration all that has been said, written and done we must not lose this important opportunity to help Kenya move forward towards enacting its fundamental written expression of how the people want to be ruled in order to enjoy the fruits of this land and nation. Even here, it is understood that the Constitution required truly respects the Common Good as the very heart of all its principles of governance.
STEP 1: As brothers and sisters listen and try, with good will, to respect and to understand other citizens’ opinions in order to integrate all that is true from all sources.
To involve all people of good will is the foundation that will help to build up consensus and so unify people after the verdict. The rights of the people must be drawn from what God wants and how He wants it fulfilled, that is, in Unity, Justice, Peace and Love to be shared by ALL in genuine EQUALITY. Unless we bring God into the challenge we neglect His Supreme Wisdom and cannot expect any blessing. Are we not surprised that in the proposed Constitution God is neither mentioned nor are His Laws invoked? How is God to be “our Strength and Protection?” How can He “bless our Land and Nation?” Throughout human history religious values have provided meaning to man’s world and man’s place in it. Through religious beliefs the people of Kenya inculcate values and shape consciences to provide stability in times of turmoil as humans encounter the uncertainties of life.
Unless we have involved God with His values and wisdom we are extremely irresponsible in seeking the best solution open to us in our human situation. As Christians and as a church we have a valuable contribution to make. We do not throw away the moral compass which gives social cohesion and teaches acceptable conduct in the community.
STEP 2: To build on what God has provided, welcome his son, Jesus Christ as our teacher, guide and brother.
All the ideas we hear from other people, especially our political leaders, should be examined carefully in the light of God’s helping guidance of the Gospel, as far as Christians are concerned and the (social) teaching of the Catholic Church as far as Catholics are concerned. It would be irresponsible not to use all the God-given gifts and wisdom which have been given to us individually and collectively. We, ourselves, are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth even if others do not have the same advantage. Everyone makes their own contribution fully available and must be considered. Majorities do not ensure the best laws. Patience, rather than haste is advisable.
STEP 3: Recognise that God creates all living beings to reach full maturity and growth, beginning with a small seed which contains all that is internally necessary to become a fully developed living being with its own identity, responsibilities and future.
Whether a tree, an animal or a human being, God creates all living beings to begin very small in size and in a state of dependence. He provides the external agent (like the mother) which will DEFEND AND PROVIDE NOURISHMENT. God has made plans involving growth, not interference or obstruction. The obligation to respect God’s plans for growth and of giving life to a new creature is serious and obvious.
STEP 4: To Recognise the right to life comes from God and belongs to the person exclusively.
No one has a right to intentionally and directly take away life. Everyone has a right to life and that right is given by God and may not be taken away except by God. There are no exceptions whatsoever to that order as stated above. Christ has stated that whatsoever we do to others is done to Him. “Whatsoever you did for one of these LEAST brethren of mine you did for me” Mt. 25 v. 40. When God has spoken, how can we “soften” His plans? The very weak need his protective words and our protective action. His love is for all, including a pregnant mother with her difficulties, but not a to the detriment of another person, a small innocent baby, which is commended to our loving care in Christ’s words “See that you do not despise one of these little ones…it is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” Mt. 18:14. If we concentrate on making a real search for the will of God in our response we will not lose ourselves in the wrong methods
CONCLUSION
If we concentrate on making a real search for the Will of God in our response we will not lose ourselves in the wrong methods. As Christians, we know Christ continues to guide us and to be with us in spiritual matters through those who receive His Mission. The Apostles Do we believe that He is not guiding us now when we really need Him speaking through his present day Apostles in this case the Catholic Bishops of Kenya.
* C.C.Davies is the Bishop emeritus of Ngong Diocese and now lives in Asumbi in Homabay Diocese.
CISA will resume the analysis of the Constitution next Tuesday-Editor
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this section do not represent the opinions of CISA.
God has given us help to find the true and blessed answers to our efforts to frame the best solution for the future of Kenya.
Let us follow the fours steps proposed that follow:
I believe that most of us can easily give up on looking for an answer to the question about supporting or opposing the Proposed Constitution. Taking into consideration all that has been said, written and done we must not lose this important opportunity to help Kenya move forward towards enacting its fundamental written expression of how the people want to be ruled in order to enjoy the fruits of this land and nation. Even here, it is understood that the Constitution required truly respects the Common Good as the very heart of all its principles of governance.
STEP 1: As brothers and sisters listen and try, with good will, to respect and to understand other citizens’ opinions in order to integrate all that is true from all sources.
To involve all people of good will is the foundation that will help to build up consensus and so unify people after the verdict. The rights of the people must be drawn from what God wants and how He wants it fulfilled, that is, in Unity, Justice, Peace and Love to be shared by ALL in genuine EQUALITY. Unless we bring God into the challenge we neglect His Supreme Wisdom and cannot expect any blessing. Are we not surprised that in the proposed Constitution God is neither mentioned nor are His Laws invoked? How is God to be “our Strength and Protection?” How can He “bless our Land and Nation?” Throughout human history religious values have provided meaning to man’s world and man’s place in it. Through religious beliefs the people of Kenya inculcate values and shape consciences to provide stability in times of turmoil as humans encounter the uncertainties of life.
Unless we have involved God with His values and wisdom we are extremely irresponsible in seeking the best solution open to us in our human situation. As Christians and as a church we have a valuable contribution to make. We do not throw away the moral compass which gives social cohesion and teaches acceptable conduct in the community.
STEP 2: To build on what God has provided, welcome his son, Jesus Christ as our teacher, guide and brother.
All the ideas we hear from other people, especially our political leaders, should be examined carefully in the light of God’s helping guidance of the Gospel, as far as Christians are concerned and the (social) teaching of the Catholic Church as far as Catholics are concerned. It would be irresponsible not to use all the God-given gifts and wisdom which have been given to us individually and collectively. We, ourselves, are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth even if others do not have the same advantage. Everyone makes their own contribution fully available and must be considered. Majorities do not ensure the best laws. Patience, rather than haste is advisable.
STEP 3: Recognise that God creates all living beings to reach full maturity and growth, beginning with a small seed which contains all that is internally necessary to become a fully developed living being with its own identity, responsibilities and future.
Whether a tree, an animal or a human being, God creates all living beings to begin very small in size and in a state of dependence. He provides the external agent (like the mother) which will DEFEND AND PROVIDE NOURISHMENT. God has made plans involving growth, not interference or obstruction. The obligation to respect God’s plans for growth and of giving life to a new creature is serious and obvious.
STEP 4: To Recognise the right to life comes from God and belongs to the person exclusively.
No one has a right to intentionally and directly take away life. Everyone has a right to life and that right is given by God and may not be taken away except by God. There are no exceptions whatsoever to that order as stated above. Christ has stated that whatsoever we do to others is done to Him. “Whatsoever you did for one of these LEAST brethren of mine you did for me” Mt. 25 v. 40. When God has spoken, how can we “soften” His plans? The very weak need his protective words and our protective action. His love is for all, including a pregnant mother with her difficulties, but not a to the detriment of another person, a small innocent baby, which is commended to our loving care in Christ’s words “See that you do not despise one of these little ones…it is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” Mt. 18:14. If we concentrate on making a real search for the will of God in our response we will not lose ourselves in the wrong methods
CONCLUSION
If we concentrate on making a real search for the Will of God in our response we will not lose ourselves in the wrong methods. As Christians, we know Christ continues to guide us and to be with us in spiritual matters through those who receive His Mission. The Apostles Do we believe that He is not guiding us now when we really need Him speaking through his present day Apostles in this case the Catholic Bishops of Kenya.
* C.C.Davies is the Bishop emeritus of Ngong Diocese and now lives in Asumbi in Homabay Diocese.
CISA will resume the analysis of the Constitution next Tuesday-Editor
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this section do not represent the opinions of CISA.
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