Romans 12: 18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
On this 41st International Day of Peace, we in the National Council of Churches of Kenya wish to celebrate all those who contributed to peaceful elections and transition in our nation. This has motivated Kenyans to continue calling upon God in the words of our National Anthem:
Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders
We thank all Kenyans for peacefully exercising their democratic right and duty before, during and after the 2022 General Elections. We commend this expression of political maturity.
We thank all the youth in Kenya for the determination to resist manipulation to engage in conflict and violence during the electoral period. You did all of us proud. We now call upon the government and all other actors to fulfil the promise and offer jobs to the youth and also mainstream them in governance and decision making.
We thank all state agencies, especially the National Police Service, for professional conduct during the electoral period that safeguarded peace and security of all Kenyans. It was pleasant relief from the trend of human rights violations in past electoral processes.
We thank all political actors for hearing our call and demonstrating decorum during the electoral period. The shift from ethnicity-oriented mobilization to issue-based campaigns was transformational.
We thank the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for successfully organizing the elections. As is the nature of democracy, there are Kenyans who are not satisfied with the results, and have chosen the path of truth and justice to have their grievances addressed.
We thank the Supreme Court of Kenya for determining the presidential poll petitions within the set timelines even though not all Kenyans agreed with the ruling. We look forward to similar speedy processing and conclusion of all other petitions so that elected leaders can settle down to do the work Kenyans expect of them.
We thank all stakeholders including the Commissions and Independent offices for the role they played in the electoral process.
We thank all the international partners who supported the electoral process in different ways and means. Your contribution went a long way to safeguard our nation.
We thank all the religious institutions and leaders for the peace messages delivered before, during and after the elections. We played our role in promoting peace and we will continue to do this.
And so as we mark this International Day of Peace, let us make it the beginning of a continuous journey to end ethnic politics and electoral violence, and live in peace and harmony as a nation.
May God bless Kenya now and always.
Signed on this 21st day of September 2022 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
