Dear Sir/Madam,
Three quiescent years after the botched up 2007 Presidential elections, it seems as if the leadership of the mainstream Christian Churches has rediscovered its voice again in the political arena. But unfortunately, once more its position, as represented by among others; cardinal John Njue of the catholic church and Reverend Peter Karanja; Provost of All Saints’ Cathedral Nairobi, is yet again, on the wrong side of history. This is because their remarks to the effect that they will rally “their flock” to vote against the draft constitution are a lot more disingenuous.
Far be it for me to suggest that the prelates have no right as citizens of this country to comment on this country’s constitutional issues. The problem is that usually, whenever they comment on any constitutional issue, it is presumed that theirs is a reflection of the common position adopted by the church faithful. It is for this reason that I beseech them to be more guarded with their speech lest they want to goof time and again and in so doing, keep on confirming their astounding ignorance on constitutional matters with relative ease. Remember the 2005 draft constitution referendum vote? The leadership of the mainstream Churches tried to force down the throats of the faithful the direction to take. So many Christians I know voted en-masse against the respective positions taken by the church leadership.
This bits and pieces of increased and unrestrained sentiments by the top church leadership is not only a manifestation of their dictatorial tendencies but is also a clear pointer to the disrespect with which they hold “their flock.” Clearly, they have no respect for individual conscience and liberties on matters constitutional. I wish to remind them that the flock shall once more rightfully give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. It behooves the faithful to see the clergy behave as if matters constitutional are solely in the confines of faith more than reason. Take for instance, the right to life; it appalls the faithful that the church leadership is even oblivious of the obvious relationship between religion and science. Is not crystal clear to the church leadership that God intended science and religion to compliment each other?
The church leadership must begin to seriously examine itself and stop these antics. Theirs is not only a disgusting trend but also a dangerous one for that matter and which will not be tolerated by the faithful. I must not hesitate to state that I am a Christian faithful but not a Christian faith fool. I therefore have no patience with subjective and partisan prelates. The stance by the church leadership will undoubtedly see sentiments simmer at dangerously high temperatures in the mainstream churches. Managing this disappointment will require deft hands. It will perhaps take a lot more reassurance in the weeks and months ahead to calm the deep seated simmering anxiety among the faithful of the mainstream Churches.
TOME FRANCIS,
BUMULA.
http://twitter.com/tomefrancis
Bravo, Bravo..Bingo, Bingo, Right on, Right on!!!!!!!!!!!!. Mr. Francis: No one need to say more on your take against these church leaders for their ill informed stand on this pending constitution reform. How many of the so called” men of cloth” have read this constitution in details as some of us have?????????. When will these church leaders start caring for the living than the unborn????????. Can someone tell these leaders that Kenya is secular State NOT Taliban regime somewhere in Afghanistan caves!!!!. Yes,the church leaders have the right to participate in Kenya politics like every one else but they should NOT hide under their “robs” that they are speaking to God in opposing this constitution. My advice to them if “they are willing to run with big dogs in secular politics…they must also learn how to pee with the big dogs”
There are good many things in this proposed constitution that these church leaders cannot stand on the way for the people of this country to attain this time! Mr. Francis, let your people know that there is a saying out here ” Fool me once, shame on you..fool me twice shame on me” . Per you take, in 2005 constitution… church leadership led their followers to vote against the C. draft blindly”. If these followers heed to the same call this time .., SHAME ON THEM!!!. Not to pick on Catholics in these group, shouldn’t they be trying to help their church untangle the web of sex scandals in their midst ( sacarsm)!!!!
To all Kenyans, please read this constitution and make up your mind and don’t let these church leaders or politicians in this country tell/think for you on how this document will effect this country if passed!..Time to think for yourselves folks!!!!!!
one more thing Mr. Francis, I see today in Standard that Cardinal Njue and “beloved Moi” are leading the opposition against the passage of proposed draft. When will the likes of Njue and the Mois start paying real attention to the needs of Kenyan people and the poor???. What does these priests care or know when they livee in higher class and always collect from the poor to keep them in power!!!!.. Could it be true that the proposed constitution will allow people to know/ have and learn their individual rights in this country????.
This constitution is not about abortion rights and these “dear” priests knows it!. Their opposition to this document do rise from the fear of losing power because Kenyans will be empowered to pursue their individual rights rather than praying for them in the church.
For Mr. Moi, to come up in opposition to the passage of this constitution is pathetic act!. Not to be the master of stating the obvious, let me propose the following questions to Mr. Moi: What did you do in your 24 years of dictatorship in this country?, Did you ever propose any constitutional reform?..sorry I forgot you gave Kenyans one party State political party ( Kanu)!!!. What kind of aspirations of the majority Kenyans that are being left out of this document?, where were these Kenya majority when you were in power? what did they say to you or did they demand new constitution reform?, Where did those who dared to demand change in your regime ended up???…Nyayo butcher shop!!.
When you spokes’ person makes moronic statement like “…this proposed constitution contains..foreign values, and..loath cultures cherished by Africans or this constitution is being used as testing ground for foreign weired ideas” what are you saying Sir?????. The statements shows how your are out of touch with the mood and the needs of the people of this country since you left office.
Which ” weired foreign ideas are you talking about in this document..which chapter, section or clause can you you site Sir????. By the way are you talking bout: dictatorship, corruption and ethnic form of government like the ones you served in Kenyans throat for your 24 years of reign and terror as african value government ???. History of this country has already judged you if you didn’t know. YOUR 24 years regime was lost time that will never be recovered. I don’t think that many Kenyans want to hear your opinions on this document although you have the right to express them!
You had your chance Sir in your 24 year tenure and you did nothing to deliver any constitution reform to this country. Where were the majority of the Kenyans with ” moral values” when you and your government were butchering some of them like stew beef???. Your Nyayo days are over Sir!, Kanu politics are history and multi -party politics is IN!!! Listen to the voices of reasoning from: Kenya politicians , the public and civic minded people who are advocating for the passage of this document.
Those who opposed this document on principle and on some other grounds have the right to to do so but they should let the passage of this document move forward and make some changes later!!!!!!
I said and again I say keep vigil against self styled ‘owners of Kenya’ who are spending sleepless nights and most valuable resources scheming on how to scuttle the HDC. The main reason is that the HDC if passed will change the political landscape of Kenya in a way that no single indivudual or small group of people would lord it over Kenyans.
Let us all stand up and ensure the HDC is voted. Let us all SAY YES TO THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
THE FOLLOWING VOICES DESERVE SHOUT OUT ON THEIR EFFORT TO PASS THIS CONSTITUTION:
Mr. Mudavadi, Mr M. Kilonzo, Mrs. Karua, Mr. Murungi, Mr. Wakesa, Mr. M. Elmi, Mr. Bett and Mr. Khalwale. Thank you for the utmost leadership that you have provided on the going debate to pass this proposed constitution draft for the people of this country.I hope you will not get deterred/destracted by the voices of: negativity, endemic corruption, party politics and tribal politics that have done your country more harm than good for these many years. Let the passage of this constitution mark a new day in this country. To quote your one country man far away from home !!!” ..If not now.. when?…. if not us..who?”
Those who believe in status will not help the passage of this document so it is up to the voices of reasoning in this country to step up their game to defeat the voices on negativity and the do nothing crowd!!!!
Hello Brother Francis:
Your moron MPs are at it again!!Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah… ass holes… say the 30 MPs now opposing the draft (see nation paper 4/7/2010) ..” We will mobilize voters to reject the draft”. We say, ” Kenyans will mobilize voters to kick your asses out of office”!!!!!… Kick me in the ass lamenting these 30 MPS, ” Could not amend the draft, …the document was drafted by foreigners,… the document was drafted in hasty in the aftermath of 2007 election chaos, the parliament had no role on the draft, the draft install super imperial Presidency, Weak Senate and parliament…Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah..We were too stupid to agree and go along with this document until this time of it’s final passage. Yes, dear MPS you are entitled for your own opinions but not your own facts on the passage of this constitution. Where didn’t you speak up when the acts governing this constitution process were being passed way back in 2007???????.
When did you Pure Presidential system in the draft turn out to be ” Super imperial Presidency to mention the few things you are opposing this document on!. Have clue how you parliamentary rules prevented any amendment to this document. I know you are too stupid to remember rules governing legislation in the parliament. ” There must be quorum of 145 MPS and any amendment must garner 67 % of the vote to pass”. What did you do in the parliament during the two day debate…any time any amendment was called .some of you waked out to avoid the full quorum to vote” All MPS from every party did play this game of walking out and now you are telling the public that you did not have the chance to ammend the draft..how damn do you think Kenya public is??????????????????????????????????????????.
My advice to you morons, just shut up and let Kenya people get their new and wait to ammend it later if you will ever get brain transplant. It is not criminal to be stupid about your own laws..your public salary will come to you!!!!