Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, His Grace Philip Anyolo on Wednesday issued a statement regarding the police brutality that has numerous times rented peaceful protests within Nairobi City County.
Speaking at the Holy Family Basilica flanked by his two auxiliary bishops, David Kamau and Simon Kamomoe, Anyolo condemned the incident that saw a mask vendor shot at close range by a police officer during the heated Tuesday protests.
Archbishop Anyolo also rebuked the development where baton wielding goons infiltrated demonstrations, looting property and subjecting pedestrians to mugging.
While condemning these atrocities, Anyolo urged faithful within the archdiocese and beyond to engage in an intensive 3-day rosary prayers, highlighting four key intentions.
“We are calling on our Catholics in the Archdiocese of Nairobi and beyond to engage in a marathon of rosary prayers for the next three days with four key intentions,” he stated
He called for the respect of human life and dignity and the restoration of law and order in Nairobi City and the country at large.
Anyolo further urged Catholics to pray for those who have lost their lives and livelihoods during protests and a special prayer for Kenyan leaders so that God may touch their hearts and give them wisdom to realize the havoc they are causing to the nation.
In observing next Sunday’s mass which will be the feast of ‘Corpus Christi’, Archbishop Anyolo directed all priests within the archdiocese to dedicate the Eucharistic celebration to the four intentions and invite God’s mercy upon the country amid growing political tensions.
During the Tuesday demonstrations, two police officers were caught on camera assaulting one Boniface Kariuki after which one of the officers aimed his gun and shot him at close range, an incident that has drawn public outcry and condemnation.
