The government must accord all religions equal treatment and ensure that all Kenyans and their properties are secure from attacks, the Reverend Canon Peter Karanja has said.
Speaking in Nakuru on the eve of the New Year festivities, Canon Karanja, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, took issue with the Christian marriages solemnization regulations terming them ‘discriminatory’. He called upon the office of the Attorney General to engage in constructive and inclusive consultations with Christian church leaders to resolve the disparities in the provisions for different faiths.
Also of concern, Canon Karanja pointed out, is the determination by the government to unjustly use legislation to forcefully acquire schools owned and run by churches without compensation. He called for concerted efforts to agree on amendments of the offending clauses in the Basic Education Act.
At the same time, Canon Karanja called on all political leaders to make 2015 an year of sobriety. “The elections are still far away. There is need for us to settle down. The government and all political leaders must ensure that the Kenyan economy is stable and that devolution is fully implemented for Kenyans to enjoy the fruits of the constitution,” he asserted.
The NCCK boss applauded Kenyans for their resilience in 2014 despite numerous challenges they faced. “We have faced serious insecurity challenges both internally and externally. These coupled with other problems of hunger, harsh economic conditions and sickness have made life very difficult for Kenyans. We must thank God for seeing us through such a difficult year.”
Canon Karanja called on Kenyans to make plans that involve patriotic endeavours and contributions, prioritize family issues, religious devotion and economic production as they generate their new year resolutions.
