Church leaders call for calm and dialogue ahead of June 25 protest anniversary

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Inter-Religious Council are calling for sobriety as a section of Kenyans prepare to mark the commemoration of the June 25th protests on Thursday. Speaking in Nairobi, the clergy called on the government to listen to all voices, exercise tolerance, and ensure security agencies do not use force on those who will turn up. The Catholic Bishops, in their State of the Nation address in Nairobi, also asked the opposition and the government to engage in sincere dialogue to resolve longstanding issues. "We call for the respect and dignity of human life... whoever takes part in demonstrations must bear in mind the critical importance of the dignity of human life that must be respected," said Archbishop Maurice Muhatia. The Catholic Bishops called on those who will take part in the commemoration of the protests' victims to do so with sobriety and respect other people's property. "The respect for private property or public property is part of what we are saying—respect for human life," Archbishop Muhatia pleaded. The clergy further called on the government to listen to the voices of Kenyans and resolve issues being raised through constructive dialogue. The Church further raised concerns about what it termed as a dangerous resurgence of goons attacking places of worship. "We call upon the IG of Police Kanja to conduct investigations and arrest all those involved together with their sponsors," said Anthony Muheria. Speaking separately, the Inter-Religious Council called on the government to respect the Constitution and protect all forms of freedoms, including that of association. They said the Church is ready to step in and mediate. The IRC assured grieving families who will be remembering their children killed in the June 25th 2024, protests that the Church stands with them and backs honest and transparent compensation.