Religious leaders condemn Mondays Siaya, Kisumu killings

Church leaders in Siaya County have condemned the police brutality which led to the killing of two people during the anti-IEBC demonstrations in Siaya town on Monday

Led by ACK Maseno West Diocese Bishop, Rev. Dr Joseph Otieno Wasonga, and his Skills for Living counterpart, Bishop Wilfred Amolo, the men of  cloth stated that such kind of terrorism by government agencies is unacceptable and must be condemned by all right thinking Kenyans.

Speaking during a prayer meeting at St. Peters’Cathedral, Siaya, the leaders expressed resentment over the killing of innocent Kenyans saying it is disheartening for police to use live bullets on citizens even as the new constitution enshrines freedom of peaceful assembly and picketing.

Bishop Amolo also dismissed police claims that they used live bullets in self defense saying that there is absolutely no justification for Monday killings and injuries that happened in Siaya and other parts of the country.

They also condemned unwillingness by the country leaders to engage in structured dialogue with the opposition to resolve the IEBC stand-off, saying that the repression and one party style dictatorship will not help to solve the electoral problems in the country.

The leaders have also warned politicians against making inflammatory utterances that are likely to incite Kenyans against each other, and instead instruct the protesters to remain peaceful even when provoked.

At the same time, Bishop Amolo appealed to the Jubilee government to ensure that the police who used lives bullets against protesters in Siaya and  Kisumu counties are brought to book because they acted against the law.