Religious leaders call for forgiveness, political tolerance as Good Friday marked

Christians across the nation joined the world in celebrating Good Friday, marking the start of the Easter festivities.

Church leaders took the chance to ask Kenyans to embrace peace and shun acts and words that could trigger violence.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops council member Martin Kivuva, Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo and Evangelical Churches Alliance Secretary General Nelson Makanda speaking separately said problems facing the country can be solved through dialogue.

The cautioned politicians against chest thumping and urged the country to take time to reflect on the nation's future this Easter season. Archbishop Sapit, through his Twitter account, appealed to political leaders to tone down rhetoric which he said had in the past let to violence.

''The way of greatness is not how much we can speak tough to one another or how arrogant we can be the way our leaders are doing today. The tongue in the two political divides is nothing but firebrands,'' he said.

Sapit urged Kenyans to use the season as a journey for redemption from the past ills.

''Let us all turn back and listen to what God is saying. As we celebrate today, may we genuinely open our hearts to the Lord to redeem us from selfishness and wrong orientations to leadership?'' Sapit said.

Archbishop Anyolo called for peaceful co-existance, taking individual decisions to forego revenge for past and present wrongs. Anyolo said with a freedom of choice, all individuals should be willing to give and accept forgiveness.

''Easter is a celebration of peace and Jesus as a Prince of Peace, we have to strive for peace politically and religiously for charity and mercy to reign. Even those with varied opinions do not mean are enemies,'' Anyolo said. In Nyeri where Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria led the faithful in the way of the cross, called for peace and prayers.

"It's an important day as we remember the suffering Christ went through before his death. I urge Kenyans to use this season to remember those in need and also pray for peace," said Bishop Samuel Muriithi.

In Embu County, Catholic faithful, who split into several groups, carried the cross along the streets in a symbolic way as Jesus went through on his last day now marked as Good Friday. The faithful urged residents to repent and forgive one another while calling on President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to bring the country together. Father Isaiah Njiru appealed to the leaders to make peace.

Evangelical Alliance of Kenya Secretary General Nelson Makanda said it's time for political leaders to look for ways of solving problems rather than wait until Kenyans shed blood to find solutions.

''Is it the money or power they wield that they want to protect if they can't sacrifice? There were lives lost during the demonstrations. Did they have to die? If they died, is their blood not enough?'' Dr Makanda posed.

Sobriety call

In Homa Bay County, Reverend Nixon Rangili of Pala Maranatha Faith Assemblies, called for sobriety, saying Raila and Ruto should dialogue while putting the interest of the country ahead. "The political situation need not be tense. This season should come with peace and honesty. Let leaders do what's right," he said.

Mombasa Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva urged political leaders to take time and consider what is good for the country. ''Jesus sacrificed and died for mankind and they have to sacrifice for the sake of all Kenyans,'' Rev Kivuva said.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya Secretary General Chris Kinyanjui said Easter symbolises the renewal of life, love, and happiness.

''Let the leaders soften their hearts and listen to the voices of people as well as that of God during this Easter and Ramadhan,'' Rev. Kinyanjui said.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God Overseer Peter Barasa said: "Let us renew our commitment to work towards a better future for all."

[Additional reporting by Amos Kiarie and Muriithi Mugo]