After a landslide Yes Victory in Kenya's first national vote since the 2007 elections that generated so much violence, Christians have been doing their part to help the Yes and No campaigns come together and work out a way forward. 

A meeting of church campaigners from the Yes and No sides was organised by CMS Africa and Christians for a Just Society (CFJS) to promote dialogue and witness to Christian unity – even in political disagreement.

The breakfast forum, held on 23 July, resolved to form a task group to promote unity and help the church think its way forward.

While the post-election violence of 2007–8 left society polarised, the debate on the proposed constitution had pitted the church against state.

By and large the church had been on the No side because of clauses in the constitution on Kadhi courts and a clause that would apparently legalise abortion.

Kadhi courts are Islamic courts that have been operating in Kenya since British colonial rule and mainly deal with marriage and inheritance matters. They were recently ruled unconstitutional and discriminatory in a court case brought by churches. The proposed new constitution, however, enshrines Kadhi courts as part of the legal system.

The abortion clause makes on-demand abortion illegal but offers exceptions where there is a danger to the mother’s health.

But the church’s position had not been completely unified, with some promoting a moderate approach and others actively campaigning for a Yes vote. The Methodist Church in Kenya came out in favour of a Yes vote.

Despite fears that the referendum campaign would stir up violence, the process was relatively peaceful. One of the few episodes of extreme violence – a grenade attack in June that killed six – was perpetrated against a church-run “No” rally.

The fact that the church-run rally was targeted highlights the central place of the church in the national debate.

This also means the church has an opportunity to become a peacemaker as the constitutional process continues, said CMS regional manager Stephen Burgess, who attended the CMS Africa/CFJS forum.

He called it “one exciting example of CMS Africa’s ministry, equipping and envisioning the church to be engaged in issues affecting the nation; considering issues of values, ethics and justice in the context of a new constitution.

“This is the church fulfilling its prophetic role and that of peacemaker.” A further meeting was set for this Friday, 6 August “to review what has happened since the referendum and what opportunities exist for the church to continue to engage with and in society, and also foster healing and reconciliation between the different churches and Christians who either supported Yes or No”, said organisers.

Original Article Published by Church Mission Society (http://www.cms-africa.org/administrator/index.php?option=com_content&sectionid=13&task=edit&cid[]=178