Catholic Diocese of Marsabit. The Catholic church meets to deliberate lent prayer point for 2026 on issues affecting the country. Photo: Catholic Diocese of Marsabit Facebook.
The Catholic Church’s Justice and Peace Department (CJPD), has organized a meeting to develop strategies and inclusive themes for the Lenten fasting period, in 2026.
The conference, which was held in Marsabit County, entered its second day on Wednesday, May 21, and aims to focus on emerging issues in the nation including early campaigns and politics surrounding the formation of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that will be included in the Lenten period next year.
According to Eusebius Atamallo, who is the head of the Justice and Peace Division (CJPD) in Kenya, this meeting, which was attended by the bishop of the archdiocese of Meru, His Eminence Bishop Salesius Mugambi, monks and laypeople from various dioceses in the country, will help give the church direction when preparing the theme for the upcoming Lent.
“We are here gathered SSGs from across the country, to reflect on the state of the nation and come up with Lenten campaigns materials for 2026. Asa country we are at a crossroad, early campaigns have began, and still struggling to have IEBC in place. We have five issues that are affecting the society, that the team has reflected and want to include into Lenten as informed by real situations facing the country,” Atamallo explained.
Speaking to journalists, Atamallo explained that some of the inclusive topics that were highlighted in this meeting were the killings and kidnappings that have been witnessed in this country. With skyrocketing number of femicide cases at 594 in 2024, the highest ever recorded in the country.
“Our other thematic area is on sanctity and dignity on human life, we have had a lot of killings especially femicide, where many girls have been killed in Nairobi and other parts of the world. We want everybody to uphold that sanctity of life through campaigns for people to respect the dignity of life,” he further said.
Additionally, the use of social media by young people and the impact of climate change on citizens were also highlighted during the meeting.
“Youths and technology is our area of focus. Technology can also be good or bad if misused. How can we use technology for the common good of our society. Climate change is also inclusive, as it is real and we can see women suffering more from the effects of climate change. We will continue with the campaign to grow trees, to cushion our vulnerable population in the country,” Atamallo further explained
Regarding the recent killings witnessed in the North Horr constituency, Atamallo has urged residents to abandon the spirit of revenge, and instead prioritize dialogue to bring lasting peace to Marsabit county.
“We are calling for peace and unity in Marsabit. As we conclude our lent campaign material development, we call on the leadership of the county to promote dialogue and also our youths not to be used as agents of violence, let us embrace peace in the county,” he pleaded.
His calls come after a section of leaders have been linked to the deadly ethnic clash that left four people dead over the weekend.
