Emo Community Development Society wishes to request all Kenyans to maintain peace and tranquility during this trying moment when four of the sons of this great nation of Kenya are faced with uncertain future owing to the confirmation of charges by the ICC.

The post-election violence was not planned nor directed in any way. The flare-ups and insurgencies witnessed in various towns and villages across Kenya were sporadic and instantaneous and the position taken by ICC on the six suspects need to be respected by all because at the end of it all justice shall prevail. Emo Society, therefore, urges all Kenyans to pray for our sons who have now been committed to trial at the ICC.

Emo Community Development Society reiterates that all Kenyans, especially our politicians and the civil society, must refrain from uttering statements that will jeopardize the tenets of natural justice for our four Kenyans facing trial.

They are innocent until the court rules otherwise and hence are free to participate in all activities that our constitution offers.

In the ensuing scenario, the Emo Society just like any positive thinking Kenyan is faced with many questions which unfortunately do not have immediate solutions, that is:

1. Has the ICC ruling made the chances of the two Presidential candidates much better than it would have been?

2. If the two Presidential candidates whose charges have been confirmed soldier on with their campaigns and Kenyans in their usual sympathetic spirit vote them in the leadership echelons of this nation, where will this leave this country given the unknown outcome of the long trial that is set to begin with the ICC confirmation?

3. Are Kenyans ready for a leadership that is facing trial at the ICC?

Kenyans at this critical time in history requires true leadership and guidance so as to make informed choices which shall not be regretted in the near future.

Can the political class or the civil societies handle this situation and deliver solutions much needed by the common Kenyan in this electioneering year? EMO Society does not think so and hereby asks the church in Kenya to take charge in showing leadership direction by doing the following:

1. Praying unceasingly for peace and harmony to prevail as the whole country undergoes trial at the ICC. The clergy should meet to pray, discuss and to advise on leadership direction for this country.

2. Lead Kenyans in openly and sincerely discussing the best way of delivering leadership in 2012 without tying this nation to the machinations and outcome of the ICC trial.

3. Impartially invite leaders who have shown interest in the country’s top seat to public debate where Kenyans are able to critically interrogate each individual’s manifesto and be able to weigh the pros and cons of a possible leadership of each aspirant.

The Church needs to be at the forefront and be impartial on this and Emo Development Society calls on all churches in this country to come together and address the current situation, taking key note of the need to assist Kenyans make the right decision on how to elect top leadership of this country and those of our counties.

At the same time the church should urge all to uphold the true spirit of nationalism and the Kenyan spirit of love, peace and unity as our sons face trial at the ICC.

God bless Kenya and her great citizens.