Catholic bishops call for solemn prayers as country awaits Supreme Court ruling
Catholic bishops on Sunday called for solemn prayers for the seven Supreme Court judges to deliver a ‘Solomonic verdict’ on the presidential election petition on Monday.
Martin Kivuva (chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops) Archbishop urged Kenyans that they resist any attempt to disturb the peace which has prevailed since the general elections of August 9, 2022.
Kivuva, who is also Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese Mombasa, said that Kenyans need peace in order to return to their normal work and allow children to continue schooling at this fragile time.
The Archbishop said that with the help God, they hoped to solve the current socio-economical and political problems and bring peace and harmony back to the country.
“We are praying for the Supreme Court judges to deliver a Solomonic judgment on Monday.We need truth and justice for lasting peace to prevail. We need to allow our children to remain in learning institutions and to ensure Kenyans return to their normal daily activities,” he said at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa.
The Judgment of Solomon tells the story of two women who claim to have one child, and Solomon rules between them.
Solomon suggested that the baby be divided in two and each woman receive half of it. This revealed Solomon’s true feelings about the child. This strategy allowed Solomon to identify the non-mother, the woman who fully approved of the proposal. The actual mother, however, begged for the sword to be sheathed and the child to be taken into the care of her rival.
Archbishop Kivuva stated that every Kenyan should pray for the judges to restore normalcy in the country.
“We should pray for the seven judges. It is an affair that concerns all of us,” he said.
He went on, “No Kenyan should be persuaded to disturb the peace that has prevailed before and after the elections and perpetuate fear and uncertainty.”
The Vicar General Reverend Father, Armogast Mawida, and other church leaders were present at the ceremony. Archbishop Kivuva encouraged Kenyans unconditionally to support the next leader for lasting peace.
The man of God took issue with those who caused chaos at the Bomas of Kenya, the venue of the National Tallying Centre, saying such people took a dangerous path that threatened the country’s peace.
“Kenyans have waited in peace and have remained hopeful so anybody aggrieved should go to court and not cause chaos as was witnessed at the Bomas of Kenya,” he said.
Martha Koome, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the seven Supreme Court judges have retreated in preparation for their judgment on the petition by Raila Odinga, Azimio La Umoja One Kenya presidential hopeful, and Martha Karua, Martha Karua’s running mate, against the election of William Ruto, Kenya Kwanza candidate, as president-elect.
Friday was the last day for hearing the petition.
By Hussein Abdullahi
Source: kenyanews
