Muslim imams in Mandera call for peaceful elections
By People.Reporter, May 2, 2022
Muslim imams in Mandera have called for peace in the forthcoming August general election.
Led by Imam Hassan Mohammed, the clerics said Kenya is greater than any individual and that politics should not be used to divide Kenyans.
The Imam recalled the 2007 post-election violence where several Kenyans were displaced and others killed.
Hussein who spoke on Monday on the eve of Idd ul Fitr said Islam is a peaceful religion and was advocating for coexistence.
He said losers should support winners and not force people into unnecessary wrangles.
Hassan urged the leaders to campaign well and distance themselves from tribal issues and hate speeches when they are campaigning.
“I urge leaders from all tribes to mind their citizens during elections,” the imam said.
The election scheduled for August 9 is majorly pitting Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga against Deputy president William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.
The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of fast-breaking, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.