Kenya

In the aftermath of Kenya's disputed election results, we stand in solidarity with Kenyans suffering from violence and displacement, and support our brother Jesuits throughout the country while praying for sustainable peace.

Nairobi is the center of Jesuit activity in Kenya and is home to the provincial offices of the Jesuit Province of East Africa. In Nairobi Jesuits minister in parishes, work in AIDS ministry, refugee ministry, and teach in one of only two Jesuit theology schools on the African continent.

America Magazine recently published an analysis of the situation by Fr. A. Orobator SJ, rector of Hekima College, the Jesuit theology school in Nairobi.

The Jesuit Hakimani Center is a peace and justice center based in Nairobi. The director of the Center, Fr. Elias Omondi SJ, is a conflict analyst and also the Social Apostolate Coordinator for the Jesuits throughout Africa. He has written a background piece on the current crisis in Kenya, as well as an analysis and plea for peace.

The Catholic Bishops of Kenya issued a statement on January 3rd calling for peace and reconciliation, an audit of the election results and mediation between President Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. The Jesuit Hakimani Center is in solidarity with the Bishops' Letter and is working on the following:

* Advocating in collaboration with Church and civil institutions for an immediate end to the violence and destruction of life and property.

* Working out a mechanism for immediate material and spiritual assistance of the victims of violence.

* Supporting initiatives for mediation and reconciliation between the major parties.

* Working with others in searching for a long term solution to this crisis at two levels: Encouraging Reconciliation and a vision for national unity; Lobbying for governing structures that ensure transparency in the electoral process.