{"id":10950,"date":"2017-08-04T15:09:51","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T14:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/?p=10950"},"modified":"2017-08-04T16:35:33","modified_gmt":"2017-08-04T15:35:33","slug":"pray-tuesdays-elections-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christianvoice.org.uk\/index.php\/pray-tuesdays-elections-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"Pray for Tuesday’s elections in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The Kenya Parliament Building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Tuesday 8th August, the people of Kenya go to the polls. \u00a0Voters will elect the President and Deputy, Members of Parliament (Senate and National Assembly) and devolved government members. \u00a0That’s county governors and ward representatives.<\/p>\n

Kenya shaken by violence in 2007<\/h2>\n

Ten years ago (2007), an outbreak of tribal violence followed the presidential elections. \u00a0The violence flared up after Mwai Kibaki narrowly beat Raila Odinga. \u00a0Mr Kibaki is from the Kikuyu people, Kenya’s largest ethnic group. \u00a0Mr Odinga is a Luo, who form the fourth-largest ethnic group. \u00a0Raila was supported by many from the Luhya and Kalenjin communities, the second and third-largest tribes. \u00a0When the result was announced, ethnic Kikuyus were targeted by elements of Luo and Kalenjin. \u00a0The attacks led to retaliation. \u00a0In all, thirteen hundred people lost their lives. \u00a0On top of that, the criminal low-life came out, taking advantage of the disorder. \u00a0From the violence, thousands were also internally displaced and many people were injured.<\/p>\n

Kenyans were dismayed by the tragedy. \u00a0Around eighty per cent of Kenyans practice Christianity. \u00a0(There are also 10% Muslim, concentrated near the coast. \u00a010% of Kenyans are Animist, found mainly in the rural areas). \u00a0 Pastors led prayers for peace.<\/p>\n

Tribal jokes and a move for peace<\/h2>\n
\"Uhuru<\/a>
Uhuru Kenyatta is running for re-election as President<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kenyans like to play down their ethnic divisions, especially to outsiders. However, amongst themselves, tribal characteristics are a rich source of humour. \u00a0The Kikuyu have a reputation for running everything and never passing up an opportunity to make money.<\/p>\n

The Luo inhabit the areas around Lake Victoria. \u00a0They are renowned for their diet of fish and for taking themselves seriously. \u00a0The Luhya are also characterised for their diet, which centres on chicken and the drinking of copious volumes of tea. \u00a0The\u00a0Kalenjin are Kenya’s distance runners and traditional keepers of cattle.<\/p>\n

But election time is not a time for ethnic jokes. \u00a0Even Kenyan comedians are emphasising togetherness. \u00a0And they have taken their lead from the candidates themselves.<\/p>\n

In 2012 Uhuru Kenyatta, son of Jomo, faced Raila Odinga in the Presidential race. \u00a0But that is not the whole story. \u00a0In order to avoid further ethnic tensions, and let it be said with an eye to winning, Mr Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, teamed up with William Ruto as his running mate. \u00a0Mr Ruto is a leading Kalenjin. \u00a0After the 2007 elections, allegations surrounded both Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. \u00a0Both were accused of inciting the violence. \u00a0But for many Kenyans, the two men coming together on a single ticket was a clear call for peace and stability. \u00a0Similarly, Raila ran for president with a member of another tribe. \u00a0Again the church prayed. \u00a0Accordingly, there was no violence following the 2012 elections, which the Kenyatta \/ Ruto ticket won.<\/p>\n

Journalists stirring up trouble<\/h2>\n

This time, 2017, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are running for re-election. \u00a0Once more they are up against Raila Amolo Odinga. \u00a0RAO has again appointed Kalonzo Musyoka as his\u00a0running mate for the post of deputy president. \u00a0Mr Musyoka is from the Kamba, the fifth-largest tribe.<\/p>\n

\"Raila<\/a>
Raila Odinga is challenging for the post of President<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We should pray that everything passes off peacefully. \u00a0And indeed we can feel we are pushing at an open door in that prayer.<\/p>\n

But more than that, let us pray for an end to tribalism so that commentators stop feeling a need to talk about post-election violence every time there is an election in Kenya.<\/p>\n

Above all, journalists should certainly not talk violence up. \u00a0The Independent have a shabby story<\/a><\/strong> based on suggestions by\u00a0Western-funded human rights activists<\/a><\/strong> that violence is about to break out again. \u00a0It isn’t. \u00a0The article, by Tom Odula of Associated Press in Nairobi, even claims some sad, inevitable and periodic clashes between nomadic herdsmen and farmers in the Rift Valley is ‘pre-election violence’. \u00a0It isn’t. \u00a0Those tragic shootings have nothing to do with the election. \u00a0The Indy should have known better.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere,\u00a0the BBC is running a piece<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0saying Kenyan ‘mixed-tribe’ couples fear animosity. \u00a0It really is barely a story and it stokes trouble up. \u00a0Wikipedia’s entry on the Kenyan 2017 elections<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0has a ridiculous section on ‘pre-election violence’. \u00a0They don’t stoop to Mr Odula’s level, but they still manage two entries. \u00a0Firstly, an election official called\u00a0Christopher Msando died a week ago in suspicious circumstances. \u00a0Secondly, days ago a lunatic with a machete tried to gain entry to William Ruto’s home when the DP was away. \u00a0A policeman was injured. \u00a0That’s the sum total of your ‘pre-election violence’ in Kenya.<\/p>\n

Giving God the glory<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>
The author chatting to pastors in Nairobi, Kenya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christian Voice is not taking a position on the candidates. \u00a0Kenya has distinct problems. \u00a0The Nairobi Star newspaper reports<\/a><\/strong> for example on high levels of youth unemployment.<\/p>\n

The country is politically stable but corruption puts a brake on enterprise and opportunities. \u00a0Kenya also faces challenges with immigration from unstable South Sudan to its north-west and Somalia to the North-East.<\/p>\n

There is constant political interference from the US, EU and UK. China is trying to secure access to raw materials by building infrastructure that is not always as good as it should be<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0Moreover, in Kenya, as elsewhere in the developing world, Western governments and NGO’s funded by anti-Christian American and European foundations are constantly trying to impose immorality on the country, and undermine its stability.<\/p>\n

Yet in all this a vibrant church is praying and political leaders are not afraid to ‘do God’. \u00a0William Ruto, for example, is one devout Christian who completely gave God all the glory after his election in 2012<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A call to prayer<\/h2>\n

The Bible records the Lord saying to Israel:<\/p>\n

Leviticus 26:3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. …<\/strong>
\nLev 26:6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. …<\/strong>
\nLev 26:12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Every nation is called to keep the Lord’s statutes. \u00a0The \u00a0Bible says clearly:<\/p>\n

Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Apostle’s wish was for always for peace amongst the Lord’s people:<\/p>\n

2Thess 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So please pray for a peaceful election. \u00a0Pray for great faith for the Christians of Kenya. \u00a0Please also pray that\u00a0whoever is elected to office in Kenya on Tuesday 8th August 2017 will walk in the Lord’s ways of obedience, honesty, justice, peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n

Click on the buttons below to share this article:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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