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Caritas Kenya and Kenya’s bishops have welcomed a political agreement which they hope will pave the way for reconciliation among the country’s people.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have signed a deal to end the country's post-election crisis, in which some 1,500 people died and 600,000 fled their homes.
A statement from Caritas Kenya expressed hope that the deal would bring to an end two months of violence that followed contested election results in December.
The bishops said: “The agreement offers fresh hope to our nation and presents us with a real opportunity to reflect on and build on the Kenya we want, built on inclusive government that embraces the diversity of our nation.
“We appeal to our political leaders to work with all civic and religious organizations to effect peace and reconciliation, especially those working at the grassroots levels such as the churches and established council of elders, to ensure that peace building and reconciliation are comprehensive and address the root causes of our conflict.
“Our country is traumatized by what it has seen and we must now work to reconcile our nation, while dealing with all that poses a threat to our country in the future.”
The bishops concluded by pledging to work with other organizations to help ensure peace and re-establish people’s livelihoods. The statement also urged the government to draw up plans for resettlement of those driven from the homes by the violence.
The Caritas Confederation of 162 Catholic aid agencies launched an appeal last month for US$2.7 million (€1.8 million) to help those made homeless in Kenya.
The appeal targets 30 000 people in Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western provinces and includes helping people access food and clean water, and providing temporary shelter.
For more information, please contact Caritas Internationalis Head of Communications Patrick Nicholson on 0039 06 698 79725 or 0039 334 3590700 or nicholson@caritas.va