March 19, 2008
The spirit in which Members of parliament moved yesterday in passing the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill and the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill is a clear manifestation of the pace of development we can realize as country through unity.
It is on that therefore that we the Nyanza Bishops join other Kenyans and International friends in thanking God and applauding Kenyan MPs who were led by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime-minister designate Hon. Raila Odinga for the historic event that now creates the Post of an executive Prime minister in the country.
As the Chairman of Church for Change and Nyanza Council of Church leaders, I on behalf of Nyanza Religious Leaders appeal to all legislators across the political divide to emulate the two leaders in embracing unity both in parliament and when out so as to show the crucial aspect of unity among Kenyans.
The mood that was experienced in parliament yesterday is what Kenyans have been yawning to see in the National assembly for the last 40 years and we pray that the same is exhibited in the tenth house when issues of national interest arose.
This spirit where MPs can disagree but maintain cordial working relationship should also be embraced by all leaders and Kenyans in various spheres including those who aspired in various elective posts in the run-up to the least general elections.
It is also our hope as religious leaders that MPs will use the same spirit they showed the world yesterday in handling the needed review of the whole constitution of Kenya so as to have a constitution and a country that is cherished by all Kenyans irrespective of our various status in the society.
As Kenyans, we are happy with the Amendment done in our national Assembly on the Constitution but it is our hope that the MPs will work with the same common interest of the country in handling the Constitution of Kenya review as had been asked by Kenyans without ethnic or any other vested interest.
We must also hail ODM pentagon member and Eldoret North MP Hon.William Ruto for the bold move he took in stepping down for his Sabatia Colleague Hon. Musalia Mudavadi to be the party’s nominee for the deputy Prime Minister’s post. We hope the PNU side will also easily pick on their nominee for their slot.
As we support the 50—-50 basis of sharing the soon to be named cabinet, it is our sincere hope that the same basis will be extended to the civil service so as to accommodate people in one accord as was the wish when our two leaders President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga signed the historic agreement about three weeks ago.
As church leaders from Nyanza, we also appeal to religious leaders across the country to move fast and reconcile their members with other communities from other regions of the country in abid to hasten the reconciliation efforts currently going on in Kenya.
Thank you and God Bless our Leaders, Kenyans and the country.
Bishop Dr Wasington Ogonyo Ngede
Chairman Power of Jesus Around the World Church & Nyanza Council of Church leaders.
Unedited by Jaluo Press.