By Fredrick Nzwili | Catholic News Service
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — Catholic bishops in Kenya urged voters to evaluate the moral and ethical qualities of candidates, as the East African nation gears up for general elections Aug. 9.
“As your shepherds, we ask you to look for qualities of moral servant leaders. That is, leaders who are visionary, reconcilers and of high integrity to steer our wards, constituencies, counties and country forward,” the bishops said in a statement read by Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri.
The June 19 message was part of the weekly election statements known as the Bishops’ Voice.
“We specifically caution you and ask that you stand up against those bad leaders who propose to destroy life in its initial stages in the mother’s womb through abortion, those who have an agenda of liberalization of sexual behavior, including pornography, and those proposing the destruction of our youth through liberalization of drug use,” said Archbishop Muheria.
The country will be voting to elect a president and deputy, National Assembly and Senate members as well as county governors and members of county assemblies.
Key campaign issues include affordable health care, youth employment, free education and a better economy, but the bishops warned that some candidates were propagating immoral and unethical policies in their campaigns. Instead, according to the bishops, the electorates should look out for leaders who articulate respect for God as underlined in the constitution, respect for life and promote the common good.
At the same time, the bishops said the top leaders must be humble. They used the example of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, an icon of reconciliation, and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere as examples of humility.
“We are not looking forward to electing saints or angels. However, we are aware that many times we have elected leaders whose performance in leadership continuously haunts us,” said Archbishop Muheria.
The bishops’ concern about drugs has been seen as a veiled reference to George Wajackoyah, the presidential candidate of the Roots Party, who has pledged to legalize marijuana.