The Baptist church in Kenya has called for the involvement of religious leaders in the impending talks between the government and the opposition.
The President of the Baptist Convention, Rev. Bernard Obuya, said religious leaders would give independent views during the talks over various issues affecting the country since they are non-partisan.
Addressing journalists at the Mtangani Baptist Church in Malindi town Friday, Rev. Obuya called on President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga to personally take the initiative to ensure the talks are successful.
“We are calling upon the President and the leader of opposition to stop listening to hardliners in their camps and take the lead in giving the country direction since they are the leaders,” he said.
He noted that without peace, foreign investors would give Kenya a wide berth, and called on political leaders to preach peace and not division for the country to prosper.
The outgoing moderator of the church’s Upper Coast Region, Rev. John Nzaro Kuthutu echoed Rev. Obuya’s sentiments, saying Kenya has had a history of peace, which requires to be kept for the good of the country.
“We urge our leaders to come together and have dialogue so that our country that has a history of peace will continue being peaceful so that our children can continue going to school and the clergy continue ministering to their faithful,” he said.
The in-coming moderator for the Upper Coast Region, Rev. Emmanuel Mtawali, said the church leaders represent God on earth and their counsel is very important since what they say is divine and could heal the country.
Members of the Baptist Convention had gathered for the official installation of new leaders in the Upper Coast Region following elections held recently.
Report by Kenya News Agency
