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Religious leaders are ready to reconcile President William Ruto and his political nemesis Raila Odinga, Nairobi archdiocese Archbishop Philip Anyolo has said.

Anyolo yesterday revealed that the inter-religious group of spiritual leaders is ready to mediate talks between the as the rift between them continues to widen.

He expressed concerns that disagreements between the two politicians could result in political intolerance between their supporters spread across the country.

Archbishop further noted that while church leaders are already organising to unite the dual, a reunion depends on the willingness of the two.

Speaking at St Bernadette Catholic Church in Ngoingwa area of Thika in Kiambu during a holy mass and confirmation service, Anyolo condemned demonstrations that have continued to spread in various parts of the country, saying they might get out of hand and cause anarchy.

He stated that while the opposition team are constitutionally allowed to express themselves through demonstrations, they should not infringe the right of other Kenyans through destruction of both private and public property.

“Enter into a dialogue and discuss issues. Dialogue will resolve things and if we never enter into dialogue about issues, we shall get half solutions of the very problems that we have and which might spill over even in the next generations. We want to ask our government and our leaders to exercise servant leadership that looks into the needs of the people and comes down to talk, just like families do,” he said.

“We also want to talk to the opposition side to take notice that perhaps what is happening might go out of control, if they really care for the people of Kenya, then they should hold organised and well-planned demonstrations that avoid any destruction of public and private property. Many Kenyans have died as a result of demonstrations and this situation, when it goes out of control, can be destructive,” he added.

As a result of the demonstrations, Anyolo revealed that hungry Kenyans, among them the demonstrators, have been streaming to Catholic churches in Nairobi begging for food, saying that the church cannot sustain food donations to the increasing number of hunger-stricken Kenyans.

“This suffering has caused a lot of pain among the people because of starvation and increased cost of living. Of late, we have seen so many people coming to the archdiocese to look for food because they were not able to work because they were demonstrating,” he stated.

He at the same time urged the government to pay attention and find solutions for challenges bedevilling Kenyans, including the high cost of living to calm the tensions being witnessed in various parts of the country during mass protests.

Anyolo further took issue with both government and opposition leaders for continuous use of vulgar, war and criminal languages, saying they were setting a bad example to youngsters who are looking up to them.

“Stop talking in public using languages that are unpleasant to the ears of Kenyans. We are a growing nation and many of us are young people who are looking for good role models especially in the political area of life. We want the government and Opposition leaders to cease speaking in vulgar, war and criminal languages in the public,” he added.

Separately, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned retired state officers to stay away from the ongoing Opposition protest or face the full force of the law.
Speaking at Kaanwa Catholic Church in Tharaka Nithi yesterday, the tough talking CS warned that the government will not tolerate anybody trying to destabilise the government by causing mayhem and anarchy in the country.

He admitted last Wednesday demonstration met them not fully prepared, admitting that law enforcers are fully ready to face the demonstrators.

“Mark my words, this time any criminal who loots, barricades roads and stone motorists, destroy properties of Kenyans and government and kill innocent citizens claiming that they are exercising their constitutional rights, trust me they will regret for the rest of their lives,” noted Kindiki.

On his part, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said they will not allow any anti-government demonstrations in the Central region.

Ndindi said the demos were heavily financed and choreographed by some forces who want to destabilise the government.