Mombasa Diocese Archbishop Martin Kivuva, also the Kenya Catholic Conference of Bishops chairman, advised candidates to be measured in their emotions of victory or defeat and avoid being provocative because this will only incite people to fight or cause violence.
“We have told our politicians that whichever way the results will come out, they should accept and if anyone has any reasons to feel like they are not satisfied with results, we have places where you can take your complaints so that they can be resolved,” he said.
“We appeal to candidates to avoid agitating until the official results are announced by IEBC,” he said.
Kivuva said campaigns were carried out in a peaceful process and they expect everyone to continue working peacefully.
“Let us respect one another, we must exercise great patience as we wait for the final results. Go home after voting and avoid being anxious, after all the results will eventually come," he said.
Kivuva called upon Kenyans to take courage and be ready to vote for the right leaders on Tuesday.
He said they are encouraging everyone to step away from the noise of campaigns and instead reflect on the country and the kind of leaders who will spur development.
“Campaign day ended yesterday and therefore we should dedicate today and tomorrow to continue to strengthen prayers so that we can discern who to vote for and our message is to ask each voter to find a quiet place for we have been praying for a peaceful election," he said on Sunday.
He said they hope that no people are planning violence anywhere, calling on politicians to be calm.
“We thank all political candidates who have done their campaigns peacefully, all voters who carried themselves with civility even when provoked into violence, security agencies for doing their work professionally and the many actors especially the religious leaders who have unceasingly called for peaceful elections period,” he said.
Speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, Kivuva also asked Kenyans to disregard parallel tallying centres set up by individuals and parties.
He said these "small centres" cannot give accurate election results.
He asked Kenyans to solely rely on IEBC, which is the institution mandated by the Constitution to announce results.
Kivuva said that the IEBC has so far done its best.
“We do not want to bash them but also to pray for them, we are encouraging them to solve each problem that comes their way,” he said, during a Sunday service in Mombasa.
While parties have a right to run the parallel tallying centres, the IEBC remains the only official tallying agency, Kivuva said.
“On this part, IEBC must truly be honest and transparent too, it is their task to ensure that the will of Kenyans and voter prevails because we expect nothing short of free fair and credible elections,” Kivuva said.
He called upon everyone to come out and vote saying that voting is not only a right but a responsibility.
"If we get the wrong leaders because you didn't vote, we challenge you, you're putting us into trouble. We will only have few candidate winning especially in all those posts that you need one person, therefore we must be ready to accept elections results as a choice of the people,” he said.
He called upon Kenyans not to fear but instead show up in large numbers ready to vote.
“Dear Kenyans, we are a God-loving country, we are the children of God and as we close the period of electioneering, we are called to remind ourselves that Kenyans are children of God who is the common father of all irrespective of tribe, religion and even where we come from therefore we should therefore not fear,” he said.
Speaking in Mombasa, Kivuva called upon the youth to ensure that peace prevails because, without peace, Kenya may get the wrong leaders.
“To our youth of Kenya, this is your present future, we are aware of challenges that may hinder your personal education, microfinance support, difficulties in finding job opportunities and finding people to support your dream.
“But we as your shepherds, we share your dream and desire for a prosperous country in which you would have the opportunity you deserve and to achieve your dream, do not keep away from voting,” he said.
He said that the future of youth depends on a peaceful environment and that Kenya is a land of many opportunities.
He said Kenyans should elect responsible leaders who will actively engage them .
“Do not let yourselves be cheated by high sounding promises without foundation,” he said.
He said that it is the duty of youth to transform the country for the better because there is hope of a bright future if the right leaders are elected.
