Peace and Solidarity with the People of Kenya

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi International and its partner organisations in the Horn of Africa are deeply concerned about the violence that has shaken Kenya following the country’s 27 December elections. We lament the widespread loss of life, extensive destruction of property and massive displacement of people in a country that has been for many Africans a model of security and democracy on the continent.

We call upon all Kenyans to stop immediately the violence that is destroying their country. We also urge Kenya’s political leadership, particularly President Mwai Kibaki and the Honourable Raila Odinga, to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the crisis and to call upon their constituencies to end their fighting.

We commend international efforts to mediate in this situation. It is crucial at this time that agreement is reached on a way forward in order to restore security, to put the economy back on track and to permit a process of national reconciliation to begin. Pax Christi partners and other organisations are already actively engaged to make a positive contribution in this respect.

Whereas the international media has often reported the violence as ethnically-motivated, we recognize the wider historical context of Kenyan politics. Structures that perpetuate political and economic inequalities have long been tolerated in Kenya. Such policies will only engender further resentment and fragmentation at the heart of Kenya’s fragile democracy. It will be important for Kenya’s political leadership to address these matters in the years ahead.

Given the deep political divisions in Kenya at this time, it will be necessary that some negotiated solution be achieved if the government is going to accomplish anything in the coming years. Anything less will lack legitimacy and Kenya’s role as a beacon for stability and democracy in the region will remain seriously compromised.

Pax Christi International expresses therefore its solidarity with the people of Kenya and appeals to Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga to:

1. Publicly urge the end of violence and the restoration of order;
2. Favour in their public discourse the way of dialogue, transparency and a negotiated solution to the crisis; and
3. Permit an independent inquiry into the results of the December 2007 elections.

We also call upon all political, religious and civil society leaders, along with international partners, to:

1. Support a solution to the current situation that is peaceful, just and democratic;
2. Consolidate efforts to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence;
3. Acknowledge the painful divisions that exist within Kenyan society and seek ways to promote broader participation in public life and to strengthen democratic governance at all levels;
4. Stimulate discussion on strategies for national reconciliation with special attention to ethnicity, power-sharing and political inclusion.


Pax Christi International
Brussels, Belgium
11 January 2008