Kenyan churches to sue state over attacks

Kenyan churches to sue state over attacks Written By:Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Wed, Aug 29, 2012

(NCCK Secretary General Rev. Canon Peter Karanja). Over 10 churches have been attacked in the last five months The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has threatened to sue the government over destruction of churches in Mombasa during riots. In a terse statement, the Church leaders accused the government of failing in its mandate to protect life and property of all Kenyans as enshrined in the Constitution and International Law. NCCK Secretary General Rev. Canon Peter Karanja  said they have instructed a team of lawyers to move to court to seek compensation for the losses. "The government bears full responsibility for the violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the victims who are under its care. We have on our part decided to seek justice for the victims of this wave of violence" said Canon Karanja. The church claimed that the increasing attacks on Christians and churches were well planed, pre-meditated, and systematic. "In the last 5 months alone, eleven churches have been attacked while attempts were made on others. Christians have been killed, injured or maimed for life. We see this as an intentional provocation of Christians to retaliate" said Canon Karanja. He at the same time appealed for calm and urged Christians to exercise the restraint and sobriety they have demonstrated in the face of sustained attacks. "We appeal to religious leaders and Christians to continue to exercise the same restraint and seek peaceful and legal means to resolve our grievances" he observed. Imams questioning Elsewhere, Two Islamic clerics are being investigated for delivering fiery speeches and incitement in mosques. Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa told newsmen in his office that the two clerics are being sought by detectives for inciting faithful to violence through their sermons. "The names of the two imams are with the detectives and they are being sought for questioning for making remarks that led youth to engage in stone throwing and street riots," said Mr. Marwa. He said 32 youths have been arrested in the past three days for causing mayhem in the streets of the coastal city. Since Monday, there has been heightened tension in Mombasa in the wake of the killing of controversial Islamic cleric Aboud Rogo by unknown assailants in Bamburi area along the busy Mombasa-Malindi highway.