Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Holy Ghost Cathedral church gives sacrament to catholics during christmas eve prayers in Mombasa.
[Omondi Onyango,Standard]

High cost of living, alleged grand graft in government and insecurity dampened the spirit of this year’s Christmas celebration as Kenyans joined the rest of the world to mark the festivities.

This happened as messages of peace, unity, hope and criticisms against Kenya Kwanza government policies dominated summons across the country.

In several churches, religious used the platform to challenge the government to address the several woes the country is facing including unexplained abductions.

At the Coast, Kenyans thronged places of worship, entertainment joints, and beaches to celebrate the day set aside to remember the birth of Jesus Christ amid tight security.

Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa, Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva called on the government to end the surge in abductions of youths voicing their anger against the administration.

“We are waking up to abductions. Corruption is rampant and all these evils do not augur well for a just society which we are all eager to see a thriving Kenya. These unfortunate happenings are taking Kenya back to the days before our independence,'' Archbishop Kivuva said.

He reiterated the need to instill hope and not doubt adding that the church, family, and school play an integral role in shaping the lives of children.

Archbishop Kivuva said that the corruption dragon has permeated the nation and must be slain at all costs.

In Western and Nyanza, religious leaders accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyans. By Standard