Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Ochieng Owili called on Catholics to cool rising ethnic and political intolerance in Kenya. Dr Owili who joined Christian faithful in celebrating the Episcopal Silver Jubilee of The Most. Rev Philip Anyolo at St. Joseph Milimani Clergy House yesterday said the bishops and priests are in good position to do that.  Responding to his call, Bishop John Obala Owaa, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Justice and Peace Commission chairman, said the Catholics are already doing that through Catholic Social teaching. Recently the Elite Police Squad was forced to take charge of a funeral service in Kisii as MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto and Raila Odinga clashed.
Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati’s remarks forced his South Mugirango counterpart Slyvanus Osoro to jump onto the podium when he called on Ruto to keep off the company of leaders he referred as corrupt and whom he said have been defrauding other Kenyans.  One of the tools in Social Teaching is Lenten Campaigns, where the Catholic Church in Kenya feels the need to inform the public of the problems affecting society and advocate for change. Through the Lenten Campaign, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops call for all Christians and people of goodwill to join them in addressing these problems and advocate for change.
By joining the bishops in advocacy, individual efforts, our small voices become much louder and each individual’s action is multiplied.  First among these topics in Social Teaching is solidarity with creation, to be in peace with all creation, conserving the environment, which has received increasing attention from grassroots Catholic groups and Church leaders at the local, national, and international levels.  The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.  Second is call to Family, Community, and Participation. The person is not only sacred but also social. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.  Third is Rights and Responsibilities. The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
Fourth is option for the Poor and Vulnerable. A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.  Fifth is the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation.  Sixth is Solidarity. We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be.  Seventh is care for God’s Creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko