Religious leaders have called upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to ban all political rallies affiliated to the Building Bridges Initiative, claiming that the rallies are polarizing Kenyans.
In a state of the Nation meeting held at the Ufungamano House in Nairobi, the leaders were concerned that the rising political temperatures may result to violence, if not dealt with now.
“We have keenly observed the developments in national debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), and are deeply concerned that the country has been pushed to a state of heightened political emotions, which in the past have been a precursor of violence and chaos.” the statement read.
“The seeming determination by political actors to push the country to a divided referendum is completely averse to the letter and spirit of the words of His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and Right Honourable Raila Odinga when they established the Building Bridges Initiative in March 2018. “
While offering the recommendations, the leaders cited the need for restoration of peace, as the unrest will only be a step back in achieving a peaceful nation.
“We wish to remind all Kenyans that the Building Bridges Initiative was established to unite the country following the chaos and violence that emerged from the 2017 General Elections. It is a major concern to Kenyans that the BBI, which was presented as a solution to the political crisis is now tearing the country apart.”
This comes after a series of BBI rallies were marred by name-calling and supremacy battles between those opposing the initiative, terming it as a political scheme for 2022, and the proponents of the initiative.
At the height of the rallies, the BBI gathering held at Kinoru Stadium turned sour as a section of Kenyans attending the rally walked away after Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen bailed out on the rally upon concluding his speech.
Groups that attended the religious council meeting were;
Evangelical Alliance of Kenya
Hindu Council of Kenya
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
National Council of Churches of Kenya
Organisation of African Instituted Churches
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Shia Asna Ashri Jamaat
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
