Nairobi Dioceses Archbishop Philip Anyolo speaking on June 18, 2025 / Screengrab
Nairobi Diocese Archbishop Philip
Anyolo has called on Kenyans to exercise calm amid violent protests witnessed
in Nairobi.
A section of Kenyans on Tuesday came out to protest the
death of high school teacher Albert Ojwang, who was killed in unclear circumstances
in a police cell.
However, the peaceful protests turned violent after suspected goons invaded, mugging business people and assaulting unarmed Kenyans.
The violent protests left one person shot, with many others
sustaining injuries, while businesspeople lost their livelihoods.
Archbishop Anyolo condemned the violent acts, urging youths
to be responsible in their responses to the social injustices in the country.
“We are saddened by the instances that happened yesterday
in the city of Nairobi during the protests against the death of Albert Ojwang. We
are especially saddened by two things: the point blank shooting of a non-violent
citizen who seemed to be just an innocent Kenyan in the city, the free
operations of groups of goons with poles, robbing and beating up citizens, and destroying properties and businesses without interference by security agencies,”
he said on Wednesday during a press conference.
We encouraged all Kenyans, especially the youths, to remain
calm and responsible and air their grievances.
“Hope in God does not disappoint us. Let us continue to be
guided by the spirit of God like Christ Jesus in the face of suffering for what
is good and right.”
Archbishop Anyolo called on Catholics in Nairobi and beyond
to pray the Holy Rosary for three days for four intentions.
He asked them to pray for the respect of human life and
dignity, for the law and order in Nairobi City and the country, and to pray for
those who have lost their lives and their families and those who have lost
their livelihoods.
Archbishop Anyolo asked the faithful to pray for Kenyan
leaders for God to touch their hearts and give them wisdom for them to realise
the havoc they are causing in the country.
“On Sunday is the feast of the Corpus Christi in the following
Catholic Faith, and the following days we request Priests to celebrate masses
with the intentions and continue to invoke God’s mercy upon our country,” he
said.
Kenyans and leaders have come out to condemn the violent protests
calling for justice over an armed masked vendor who was shot at close range.
On Wednesday, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) confirmed the
mask vendor shot by police during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi’s Central
Business District remains in critical condition.
KNH Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai said Kariuki was
referred to the hospital from a clinic within the CBD after sustaining a severe
head injury from a gunshot.
“Upon arrival at the Accident and Emergency Centre, he was
noted to be critically ill with a wound on the left side of his head, resulting
in bleeding and evidence of severe injury,” said Sigilai.