Kenyan bishops urge quick implementation of power-sharing agreement

Published: 2008-03-05

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- Kenya's Catholic bishops have urged the country's political leaders to quickly implement a power-sharing agreement between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. "The Catholic Church entrusts the peace process and reconciliation to God as we continue to pray for the two leaders to uphold the requirements of the agreement signed with a new heart and a new spirit," said a statement issued March 4 by the Kenya Episcopal Conference's justice and peace commission. The bishops urged the speedy implementation of the Feb. 28 agreement between the government and opposition, which -- once it is passed in a constitutional amendment -- would make Odinga prime minister. Since the Dec. 27 disputed election results, in which both Odinga and Kibaki claimed victory, more than 1,000 people have been killed and 300,000 people have been displaced. "It is imperative (for) all members of Parliament to work together to ensure that the deal is entrenched in the constitution and that the two principal leaders get the necessary support to actualize the agreement," they said.

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