Religious leaders in Kenya have expressed their disgust over reports that certain politicians have started creating militias ahead of the 2017 elections with the intent of causing violence.
The clerics, in a statement, now want the politicians to preach peace rather than creating structures for violence.
Under the umbrella of the Inter-religious Council of Kenya, the religious leaders also urged all politicians to cease making elections a matter of life and death for Kenyans and inciting them.
They said it is wrong for anyone seeking any political position to state that Kenyans can die or be maimed so that they achieve their political ambitions.
"We therefore urge all politicians and their vested interests to cease making elections a matter of life and death for Kenyans. It is immoral and sinful for anyone who is seeking a position to casually posit that Kenyans can die and be maimed just so that they achieve your political ambitions. We are especially disgusted that politicians and aspirants at different levels are creating militias whose sole intent is to cause violence on Kenyans. This must be stopped forthwith," stated part of the statement signed on Thursday.
"We advice you to uphold value-based campaigns and policies and you will prosper. We especially urge you to begin preaching and practicing peace rather than creating structures for violence’ added the statement.
The Inter-religious Council of Kenya comprises the Catholic Church under the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Hindu Council of Kenya and Seventh Day Adventist among others.