'Make faith count' in Kenya, says Kirk

Kirk leaders have encouraged their counterparts in Kenya to "make faith count" as the nation seeks to heal the bloody divisions which have opened up this week following the disputed election result.

Church of Scotland mission work from the end of the 19th century led to the emergence of the 3-million strong Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

World Mission Council convener Colin Renwick remarked: "From the historic Church of the Torch to the vibrant city centre congregation of St Andrew's Nairobi, you cannot miss the fact that Scots have played a big part in making the Presbyterian Church the force that it is today in Kenya.

"Mission stations like Chogoria, Kikuyu and Tumutumu are household names in many parts of Scotland.

"The acute concern felt about the current crisis arises from many years of warmly held relationships."

The Presbyterian Church has been distinguished by its insistence that unity in faith transcends ethnic divisions. Now is the time to demonstrate the reality of this conviction, the Church of Scotland said.

The Church's General Secretary, Samuel Muriguh, has made "a passionate appeal to all our political, religious and community leaders to reach out to their communities and followers to guide them to embrace peace as all of us dialogue for peaceful co-existence".

"We are appealing to all people of this Nation, big or small, to make every effort to live in peace with one another."

Renwick continued: "The Church of Scotland is 100% behind this appeal. We encourage church leaders in Kenya to make faith count as a force for peace, stability and justice in face of this national crisis."

The Kirk said that lasting peace would rest on a resolution of the political crisis sparked by the disputed election results.

Church and Society Council convener Morag Mylne said: "We support the call from World Council of Churches General Secretary Samuel Kobia (himself a Kenyan) that Kenyan politicians as statesmen 'must rekindle national and international confidence in their intentions'."

Dr Kobia said in a statement earlier in the week that an independent investigation of the electoral dispute was "necessary" and should be monitored by international observers.

"We therefore welcome the efforts of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others to establish an effective mediation mechanism and to work urgently towards a resolution in which all Kenyans can have confidence," added Ms Mylne.

Prayers for Kenya will be said in Church of Scotland congregations throughout the country this Sunday and the Kirk affirmed that it "stands ready to assist in any way it can".