Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The forum that brings together Christian Professionals from various denominations sharing common values on life, family, Religion, value-based education and governance work with other ecumenical partners including KenyaConferenceofCatholicBishops(KCCB),NationalCouncilofChurchesofKenya(NCCK),andEvangelicalAllianceofKenya(EAK).
“Let us avoid being manipulated on the basis of gender, ethnicity, race or other inherent or cultural characteristics. Stereotyping easily leads to hate speech whether in public or private settings, whether in social media or through whispered remarks,” Christian professionals said at the end of this year’s week of prayer for Christian unity calling all citizens to “take up the mantle of preaching peace and unity before and after the elections.”
Addressing politicians, electoral aspirants and political actors, members of the KCPF led by Mr. Charles Kanjama the Chairman and Mr. Vincent Komosop the Secretary who co-signed the statement on Tuesday, January 25, ask for involvement in “genuine and honest campaigns marked by integrity and pursuit of servant leadership.”
“Weaskyoutofairlycommunicateyourcharactertraits, youragenda,yourcompetenceandyourtrackrecord.Complywiththelaws, includingtheelectorallaws,” Christian professionals whose mission is to promote and defend biblical values in society disclosed in their statement.
They warn further,“Assiduously avoidinflammatorystatements,hatespeech, briberyandpoliticalmanipulation.Desistfromactsand utterances thatarelikelytoaffectthepeaceandprogressofourcountry (and)let'sallembracepoliticaltoleranceandrememberthatthereis life afterelections.”
Encouraging professionalism of politicians during campaigns the Christian professionals underscored, “Be open to engaging professionals to assist you in rolling out your campaigns, and ensure you set aside funds to pay them promptly and adequately for services received.”
They also encouraged political actors to set aside funds in the event of need for professionals for post-electoral work warning that “Professionalswillnotbereadytoprovidecompetent servicesbasedonunmetpromisesoffuture payment.”
In their Tuesday statement, KCPF officials urged government agencies, business people and corporates who are key stakeholders in the government space, to facilitate the common and public good in their various engagements by upholding“nationalvaluesandprinciplesofgovernance,” and “respectingthesanctityoflife,religiousfreedomandfamilyvalues.”
Not forgetting the role of professionals in the country, KCPF officials asked Christian professions to be salt and light at workplace and “resolvetotakepracticalstepstopursueexcellenceandtransformationthatreflectsJesusChristourmodel,” and to also “promoteChristian unitybysupportingeachotherthroughprayerandgoodworks.”
Besides, they said asking the professionals to pursue their role as technical experts in matters relating to governance and social justice especially during political campaign period arguing, “Professionalshavebeencentric inofferingsolutionstoourcountry'spredicaments,butsometimes,unfortunately,havebeenpartoftheproblem.”