Siaya clergy want Ruto and Raila to have one-on-one talk

Siaya

Tuesday July 25, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

Church leaders in Siaya county now want president William Ruto and former prime minister, Raila Odinga to have a one-on-one talk to defuse the high political temperature in the country.

Through the Siaya county church leaders’ forum, the clerics say that the two leaders should close their ears to their henchmen opposed to such talks and prioritize the interest of the nation.

Addressing the media at Skills for Living church in Siaya town today, the clerics, led by archbishop Dr. James Opiyo said it was high time all leaders, irrespective of their political persuasions embraced peace and stopped chest thumping.

“We appeal to president William Ruto and Raila Odinga to find time for each other and meet. When the two meet and chat, we believe that the lasting solution to the high political temperature will be found,” said Archbishop Opiyo who is also the chairman of the Siaya church leaders’ forum.

His sentiments were supported by Dr. Wilfred Amollo, the organizing secretary of the forum who said that the two must not listen to hardliners in their camp who may scuttle plans for a meeting for fear of losing out.

“I know they can find time to talk without people surrounding them,” said Dr. Amollo who added “what they fear losing is nothing compared to what the country will gain out of the talks,”.

The clergymen at the same time blamed the police for using excessive force on both the demonstrators and those caught in the subsequent melee.

“We are concerned about the killing of innocent and excessive use of firearms on unarmed citizens,” they said in a statement read by Archbishop Opiyo.

The clerics called on the government to consider withdrawing the contentious finance bill, 2023 so as to cool off political temperature.

Courtesy ; K. N. A