NAIROBI – Pope Francis on Sunday urged Kenyans to engage in “constructive” dialogue as the country prepares for Thursday presidential repeat election.
During the Sunday sermons in the Vatican, the pontiff said he was following the situation with “close attention” over disputed elections.
“I am paying close attention in these days to Kenya, which I visited in 2015,” Francis told pilgrims and tourists gathered for the Angelus prayer.
Francis was quoted by AFP praying “that the whole country might be able to face the current difficulties in a climate of constructive dialogue, having at heart the search for the common good.”
Kenyans are planning to go to polls on Thursday after the country’s Supreme Court overturned the August election victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The court cited “irregularities” in the transmission of the results.
With tension high, there are fears violence might erupt like 2007 when thousands were killed during deadly election violence.
But as Kenyans prepare to return to the polls again Odinga has said he will not participate this time.
On Friday, both Kenyatta and Odinga made calls for election peace, while making veiled digs at each other on Kenya’s annual Heroes Day.
Copyright ©2017 Alleastafrica.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Alleastafrica.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Alleastafrica.com
