By Dianah Chelagat
The Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich has revealed that efforts of bringing President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to dialogue are at an advanced stage.
Bishop Kimengich says the matter was being pursued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
Addressing the press in Eldoret town on March 27, 2023, the Catholic clergy expressed optimism that they will finally manage to bring Ruto and Raila to one table where they can dialogue.
“Our Bishops have met to see how to bring the two together so that they can dialogue and end demonstrations and solve problems in the country,” said Bishop Kimengich.
“I know they have advanced in the matter and we expect that the process will bear fruits and bring peace,” he added.
Hardliners
But even as the catholic bishops push for a Ruto-Raila dialogue, Bishop Kimengich said he was alive to the fact that there might be hardliners in both camps.
He however insists that it was time the leaders of both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza camps looked at the bigger picture.
“We know there are those against dialogue, giving all manner of conditions but we pray they will be open to this idea by seeing the importance of peace and unity. Let them see the good of the country as if we continue with the current trend, it is the common mwananchi and economy that will suffer,” noted Bishop Kimengich.
Meanwhile, the clergy has asked Kenyans to remain united and claim.
He has also asked that they avoid engaging in chaos.
“It is our duty as Kenyans to maintain peace among ourselves and those around us. We also pray to God so that those people causing chaos can stop and be like other people of this county,” he noted.
The Azimio coalition has been holding protests aimed at pushing the country to address the high cost of living and electoral reforms.
Led by its leader Raila Odinga, the opposition has since announced that they will be holding protests two days every week – Mondays and Thursdays.
