Why Pope Francis chose to visit Kenya

In exactly 22 days, Pope Francis is expected to touch down in Nairobi for his maiden tour of Africa.

Ahead of his visit to the country, the Catholic Church leadership in Kenya has urged leaders to desist from making statements with ethnic undertones on his maiden tour to Africa.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) issued the statement as Catholics all over the world marked all saints day on Sunday, which is celebrated on the first day of November.

Catholics in Kenya also said special prayers ahead of the much anticipated pontiff visit.

The pope is visiting the country as both the head of the Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican State and is expected to make a great impact in the country. 

Bishop Alfred Rotich of KCCB said, “As we begin the final countdown, we call a moratorium on the name calling, the ethnic undertones and ask for national prayers.” 

After the Garissa attack, in April, the pope sent a condolence message to the country before a group of Kenyan bishops visited the Vatican and had an audience with Pope Francis where the idea to visit the country was tabled.

Speaking to Citizen TV the bishops said they asked the pope to visit since he was going to Uganda, three months ago he called to confirm he would be coming to the country.

Kenya will be the first stop in the tour that will also see the pope visit Uganda and the Central African Republic.

In his address to Kenyans, the Holy Father is expected to tackle several current issues such as peace, inclusivity and tolerance.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu, accompanied by Bishop Alfred Rotich, chairman of the secretariat handling the pope’s visit, told journalists in Nairobi that Pope Francis will also talk about the fight against poverty and climate change.

John Cardinal Njue said the coming of the Holy Father is a real blessing, adding that he is also coming for the state and his message therefore expected to make a great impact.

By Jemimah Gathoni