Mega Corruption, Politique dans les lieux de culte, Ethnicité négative, parmi les principales préoccupations des évêques au Kenya avant les élections de 2017
Mega Corruption, Politique dans les lieux de culte, Ethnicité négative, parmi les principales préoccupations des évêques au Kenya avant les élections de 2017
CANAA || Par le Père Don Bosco Onyalla, Nairobi || 14 novembre 2016
La résurgence de la méga corruption dans les institutions gouvernementales, l'utilisation des églises et des fonctions de l'Église comme plates-formes de campagne politique, et la tendance des politiciens à utiliser les facteurs de tribu et de section dans leur candidature électorale sont parmi les principales préoccupations des évêques catholiques au Kenya avant les élections générales de 2017.
Les Evêques ont exprimé ces préoccupations dans une déclaration de presse, le vendredi 11 novembre, lors de leur rencontre au Centre de Pastorale et d'animation de l'évêque Stam dans la ville de Kakamega au Kenya occidental.
La déclaration de onze points des évêques, largement relatée dans les médias locaux du Kenya, s'intitule : « Pour l'amour de notre pays, oeuvrez pour la paix et l'unité ».
Décrivant la corruption au Kenya comme une «maladie», les évêques ont déploré que «le mal semble être perpétré sans honte ni peur».
Ils ont cité les allégations de mauvaise gestion du Ministère de la santé, exprimant la crainte que la corruption financière soit liée aux élections générales.
"Nous nous demandons ce qui se passe exactement. Cela se produit-il même lorsque d'autres cas n'ont pas été traités? Ou sommes-nous traités comme un outil de propagande pour 2017 ? Est-il possible que tous soient devenus impuissants face à ce monstre grandissant ? » ont demandé les Evêques dans leur communiqué de presse collectif et ajouté, « Tolérance de la corruption et laisser ceux considérés comme « intouchables » libres de piller l'argent des contribuables pour le bien de l'opportunité politique montre une faible direction dans la lutte contre la corruption. »
Face au défi de la politique dans les lieux de culte, les dirigeants de l'Église ont mis en garde le clergé contre la promotion de candidats politiques dans les églises, les chaires et les politiciens contre l'utilisation des fonctions de l'Église pour leurs campagnes politiques.
« Autant les politiciens et ceux qui aspirent à des postes électifs sont libres d'adorer et de prier où ils veulent, ils ne devraient pas profiter de ces occasions pour faire leurs déclarations de campagne. »
Les prélats ont dénoncé l'ethnicité négative, citant la tendance des politiciens à s'engager dans des « réalignements politiques fondés sur des considérations tribales et sectionnelles » par le biais de « la mentalité d'avoir « l'un des nôtres » aux dépens d'autres communautés ».
« Nous tenons à mettre en garde, encore et encore, nos politiciens pour éviter un langage incendiaire, et la tendance à mettre une communauté contre l'autre », ont déclaré les Evêques, condamnant en outre ce qui semble être des combats perpétuels entre les dirigeants élus dans les comtés, ce qui est devenu physique dans certains cas.
« Nous notons avec préoccupation la résurgence de la violence, des langues conflictuelles et des discours de haine qui peuvent nous plonger à nouveau, en tant que pays, dans la situation dans laquelle nous étions, en 2007-2008, qui s'est presque détériorée en un conflit civil », ont déclaré les évêques dans leur communiqué de presse.
Voici la déclaration des évêques catholiques au Kenya
DÉCLARATION DE PRESSE: "Pour l'amour de notre pays, oeuvrez pour la paix et l'unité"
1. INTRODUCTION
Nous, les évêques catholiques du Kenya, réunis au Centre de Pastorale et d'animation de l'évêque Stam, Kakamega, vous saluons, chers Kenyans et tous les gens de bonne volonté. Nous ressentons le besoin de vous aborder sur les questions qui nous concernent tous, pour une nation pacifique et aimant Dieu. Sachant que, dans les communiqués de presse précédents, nous vous avons abordé une série de questions qui nous touchent directement, nous ressentons toujours l'obligation de faire entendre notre voix et d'appeler votre attention sur celles qui nous préoccupent immédiatement. Forts des efforts qui ont été déployés jusqu'à présent et conscients des progrès accomplis dans plusieurs domaines, nous sommes néanmoins pleinement conscients de l'énorme tâche qui reste à accomplir et de l'appel à la responsabilité individuelle, collective et engagée de la part de chaque Kenyan pour unir ses efforts et construire un Kenya pacifique. Le Kenya est un pays béni de tant de façons. Malgré les défis auxquels le pays est confronté depuis l'indépendance, nous sommes reconnaissants d'être venus jusqu'ici. Il est juste que nous nous arrêtions pour penser d'où nous venons et où nous allons.
2. JOURNALISATION DES ÉLECTIONS PACIFIQUES
Un domaine qui a toujours été un défi pour nous Kenyans est celui des élections générales. Notre pire comportement en tant que nation apparaît avant, pendant et après les élections. Alors que nous nous préparons aux élections générales de 2017, nous notons avec préoccupation la résurgence de la violence, des langues conflictuelles et des discours haineux qui peuvent nous plonger à nouveau, en tant que pays, dans la situation dans laquelle nous étions, en 2007-2008 qui s'est presque détériorée en un conflit civil. Il est maintenant clair que la fièvre électorale s'accélère de plus en plus et que beaucoup se positionnent pour être élus. Cela signifie que déjà le pays a été mis dans l'ambiance de campagne au détriment de la prestation de services et du développement. Nous notons avec préoccupation que les dirigeants abandonnent leurs responsabilités et se ferment d'un coin à l'autre pour obtenir une place pour les élections de 2017. Les politiciens se déchirent les uns dans les autres et font des déclarations dangereuses capables de provoquer des tensions ethniques, des affrontements et des rivalités politiques violentes. Les accusations et les contre-accusations sont échangées aux dépens de la vérité. Il est évident que les politiciens et les aspirants sont déjà prévus pour les élections de 2017. Où cela laisse-t-il le Kenya ? Il est maintenant devenu un modèle que chaque fois que nous approchons de l'année électorale, la violence éclate dans de nombreuses régions du pays. Des vies ont déjà été perdues dans le conflit entre les Pokots et les Marakwets. Des affrontements se poursuivent entre les communautés Kisii, Masai et Kipsigis. Récemment, des violences ont été signalées dans le comté de Turkana à la suite de l ' élection partielle du membre de l ' Assemblée du comté (MCA).
It is now clear that if strong action is not taken, there is real concern that the Government might not be able to control the violence that may erupt during election time. Dear Kenyans, elections come and go. We must never allow ourselves to be used for political expediency every election period, only to be left wounded, maimed, hopeless and divided more than ever before. Who is benefitting from these conflicts? Why must political opportunists always take advantage of us and use us to destroy our great country? We must persistently reject any attempt to take us back to the dark days of election related violence. We call upon everybody to be conscious of the obligation to work towards a peaceful process of elections. We are hopeful that the institutions created for this purpose will be credible and ensure transparent processes that will lead to free and fair elections.
3. PERPETUAL INFIGHTING AMONG ELECTED LEADERS
We have noted with concern the infighting among the elected leaders in some of our counties. It is very painful that these leaders, obviously because of greed, are continuously impeaching one another, trading accusations and counter accusations and even physically fighting to the detriment of development and well being of the citizens who elected them. There are counties where service delivery has stopped and all activities paralyzed, yet these leaders continue earning their fat salaries, awarding themselves, their relatives and cronies, lucrative contracts, while some are looting the coffers of the county. All those committing economic crimes should not only be brought to face the law, but their ill-gotten wealth must be confiscated and returned to where it belongs. The kind of leadership we are witnessing is no longer about service and the effort to bring development to counties and the country, but it is all about which position has more money and power so as to access the resources for it will be their turn “to eat”. These elected leaders are ready to protect their positions with all means, including violence. We particularly appeal to all political leaders, aspirants and supporters, civil servants to mind the good of our country, and to conduct themselves peacefully, to restrain their supporters from any form of violence and conflict. We call upon each one of you to endeavor to identify honest and credible candidates, and to vote on the basis of credibility and integrity rather than handouts and empty political rhetoric. We call upon these leaders to stop the incessant infighting and commit themselves to the work which they have been elected to do.
4. POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS
Political realignments based on tribal and sectional considerations should not be the criteria of 2017 election campaigns in the counties and in our country. We must eradicate this mentality of having “one of our own” at the expense of other communities. This will threaten the peace in areas where there are many communities living together.
5. HATE SPEECH
We wish to caution, again and again, our politicians to avoid inflammatory language, and the tendency to set one community against the other. There are those politicians known for uttering what amounts to hate speech. As election period is around the corner let them promote peace and harmony among all communities.
6. POLITICS IN PLACES OF WORSHIP
The Church is called to be the conscience of the society. Consequently those working in the Church must be seen to be above party politics. They cannot be seen to favor this or that political camp. We call upon the clergy not to use the Church or the pulpit to promote any political candidate. It is important to note that Church law forbids priests from engaging in politics or presenting themselves for elections to political positions. The nature of their calling makes them signs of unity to the people living in their jurisdiction. We have further stated in our earlier statements that as Catholic bishops we are not going to allow our Churches and Church functions to be used as campaign platforms and forum of hate speech. As much as politicians and those aspiring to elective positions are free to worship and pray where they want, they should not use such opportunities to make their campaign statements. Consequently politicians should not be allowed to address the congregations in our houses of worship. Let them be respected.
7. RESURGENCE OF MEGA CORRUPTION
We the Catholic bishops in our April press release addressed the disease of corruption in Kenya. It is unfortunate that this evil seems to be perpetrated without shame or fear. That now there are allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for health services yet again brings the country to another low. We are left wondering what is exactly going on. Is this happening even when other cases have not been dealt with? Or are we being treated to propaganda as a campaign tool for 2017? Is it possible that all have become helpless in the face of this growing monster? We have insisted again and again that those who have been entrusted to govern this country must be people free from corruption, who hate corruption and are willing to fight corruption to the end. Half hearted actions will not do; tolerating corruption and letting those considered “untouchable” free to loot the taxpayers money for the sake of political expediency shows weak leadership in the fight against corruption. The time to act is now if we want this country to be a place of “plenty and prosperity” as we sing in our national anthem. We don’t want to be counted among the generation that lost the dream our ancestors had when they fought for the independence and prosperity of Kenya. We as religious leaders are willing to facilitate a forum to address the issues of corruption with sobriety, away from political rhetoric. We seek to reason together to see how we can strategically address this vice. As a point of departure all those implicated, with credible evidence should step aside.
8. VALUE BASED EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW
We wish to note with a lot of appreciation the positive measures that have been taken with regards to the credibility of our national examinations. The fact that KCPE started and proceeded without major incidences is a sign that it is possible to have untainted examinations in Kenya. As the KCSE exams are underway, signs are that some form of sanity and integrity is slowly being restored, and it is hoped that this process will go on to completion and be reflected in the results. As we commend the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the TSC and the Examinations Council, and indeed all who have been actively involved, we would note that if everybody was serious about fighting corruption and impunity, it would be possible to eradicate it once and for all. This kind of spirit should be extended to all other sectors and emulated by other ministries. The recognition that chaplaincies are very key aspects of formation of the youth in our educational institutions is a laudable move should be encouraged. We join and support such efforts to promote quality and formative education. We, however,would like to point out a danger that is looming in regard to the formation of our children in the schools. The ongoing curriculum review has to be value based which takes into account our religious and cherished African values. Our children ought to be given religious education right from the time they join school. These children need such a formation at an early age so as to grow to be respectful, God-fearing, hardworking, honest and orderly people. We, as a nation, are in a position to map out our own destiny and know our own sets of values that are good to our children without depending on outside people who don’t share our values and have their own agenda to propagate. We must reject outside interference from those who are bent to derail our young people from our God given values that are at the heart of our moral fabric. We therefore as bishops reject a curriculum which excludes religious education at all levels of education, and where sexuality is not within a context of good values.
9. TERRORISM
It is very painful to note the frequent loss of lives due to terrorists in those areas of our country that border Somalia. We deplore all attacks to Kenyans and other innocent persons. It depends on each of us, not to give space to those recruiting or radicalizing our youth. As we urge the government to do more, we appeal to all that terrorism does not solve anything. The intention of these evil people is clear – to create animosity between Christians and Muslims in this country. We should never succumb to this temptation for evil can only be overcome by good. What unites us as human beings is more than where we come from or the religion that we adhere to. Let us always work for what unites us as human beings.
10. SOUTH SUDAN
The situation of endless strife in South Sudan is worrying. There are many refugees entering Kakuma camp from South Sudan. We call upon the Kenyan Government to work with other nations for a lasting solution to the problems facing South Sudan. Kenya has to take her traditional role of brokering peace in South Sudan.
11. CONCLUSION
The well being and prosperity of our Country depends on all of us. This is the only Kenya we have and we must guard our liberties jealously so that those who come after us will find a country where there is peace and harmony. We should never allow few individuals to spoil the peace in Kenya and interfere with our inheritance. We have to learn to choose what is good and reject what is evil and all that is bedeviling our country as we strive to improve the lives of our people. Together we can build a country that is just and free from corruption, a country that is orderly and respects the rule of law and a country where the dignity of every person is respected and valued. We call upon all our Catholics and all people of good will to pray for Kenya so that we can have peace and build a one united nation. GOD BLESS KENYA
Signé :
Date: 11ème Novembre 2016
Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, Chairman, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB)
Bishop of Homabay Diocese
