Kitui Diocese - Kitui Diocese - Vaccine Statement

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF KENYA

STAND BY THE TRUTH (JOHN 8:32) DURING THE ORDINARY PLENARY ASSEMBLY IN NAKURU.

Preamble,

Dear Christians, fellow Kenyans and all people of good will, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, meeting at St. Mary’s Pastoral Center in Nakuru, greet you in the name of Our Lord.

During our weeklong Ordinary Plenary Assembly, we have taken stock  and reflected deeply on the state of the nation and have identified the following issues of great concern:

1. 1.   Insecurity

As we gathered to start our meeting, we received the sad news of the killing of scores of security officers at Kapedo and other areas in the nothern frontier. The horrific event is a sad reminder of the state of the alarming level of insecurity in our  country, and only the latest in a series of events across the country in which many Kenyans have lost their lives.

We share the pain of the families and friends  who have lost their dear ones. It is sad, that despite many promises that come after such catastrophes, nothing gets done and the same tragic cycle is repeated soon thereafter.

For example, the Government promised stern action after Kenyans lost their lives in Lamu County. To date, only two people have been taken to court.

How many more Kenyans, including security officers, must lose their lives before real order is restored? We now want to state categorically, that time has come for  less talk and more action.

One major cause of rampant insecurity in parts of this country is inequitable development. It is regretable, that despite 50 years of independence, some parts of this country have not seen meaningful development, with no roads, no schools and other essential social services.

We reiterate that peace and development are inseparable: there can be no peace without development; and no development without peace.

To ensure lasting security in the country, it is imperative that the Government ensures that National resources and services are equitably distributed.

At the same time, the Government must ensure that all disputed boundaries in the country are clearly demarcated to stem simmering tensions between counties over newly discovered mineral resources.

We are deeply concerned about clear lapses in our  Government’s security response mechanisms. News that the slain officers at Kapedo appealed for backup and no response was forthcoming for more than 30 hours, is a clear indication that there are dangerous gaps in our security apparatus, and that there is an urgent need for overhaul.

This is not the first time that we are raising this issue with the Government.

1. 2.   The Tetanus Vaccine

Dear Kenyans, due to the direction the debate on the ongoing Tetanus Vaccine campaign in Kenya is taking, We, the Catholic Bishops, in fulfilling our prophetic role,  wish to restate our position as follows:

1. The Catholic Church is NOT opposed to regular vaccines administered in Kenya, both in our own Church health facilities and in public health institutions.
2. However, during the second phase of the Tetanus vaccination campaign in March 2014, that is sponsored by WHO/UNICEF,  the Catholic Church questioned the secrecy of the exercise. We raised questions on whether the tetanus vaccine was linked to a population control program that has been reported in some countries, where a similar vaccine was laced  with Beta- HCG hormone which causes infertility and multiple miscarriages in women.
3. On March 26, 2014 and October 13, 2014, we met the Cabinet Secretary in-charge of health and the Director of Medical Services among others and rasied our concerns about the Vaccine and agreed to jointly test the vaccine. However the ministry did not cooperate and the joint tests were not done
4. The Catholic Church struggled and acquired several vials of the vaccine, which we sent to Four unrelated  Government and private laboratories in Kenya and abroad.
5. We want to announce here, that all the tests showed that the vaccine used in Kenya in March and October 2014  was indeed laced with the Beta- HCG hormone.
6. On 13th of October 2014, the Catholic Church gave copies of the results to the cabinet secretary and the Director of Medical Services. The same was emailed to the Director of Medical Services on October 17, 2014.

Based on the above grounds, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, wish to State the following:

1. That we are shocked at the level of dishonesty and casual manner in which such a serious issue is being handled by the Government.
2. That a report presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Health  November 4, 2014 by the Ministry of Health, claiming that the Government had tested the Vaccine and found it clean of  Beta- HCG hormone, is false and a deliberate attempt to distort the truth and mislead 42 million Kenyans.
3. That we are dismayed by attempts to intimidate and blackmail medical professionals who have corroborated information about the vaccine, with threats of disciplinary action. We commend and support all professionals who have stood by the truth.
4. That we shall not waver in calling upon all Kenyans to avoid the tetanus vaccination campaign laced with Beta-HCG, because we are convinced that  it is indeed a disguised population control programme.

1. 3.   Corruption and National Values

Dear Kenyans, we mourn the persistence of chronic corruption in all sectors of society-from the national police recruitment exercise that was nullified due to corruption concerns, national examinations whose integrity has been lost, land grabbing, missing land and court files, and disturbing reports of misappropriation of public resources.

We shall not get tired of reminding the Government and all Kenyans, that corruption is a cancer that is swiftly eating into every part of our society; one that is robbing our children of their legacy. Unless there is a united front against this vice, we will lose our Nation to forces of evil.

1. 4.   Conclusion

Dear Kenyans, and people of good will, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, urge you to remain prayerful and vigilant.  We want to assure you, that we shall not tire of reminding the Government of its constitutional mandate to you, dear Kenyans, to protect lives and provide basic services-that is our pledge to you.

May the Lord guide you and keep you safe now and forever more.

 November 6th , 2014

Signed

His Eminence John Cardinal Njue

Chairman-Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops