The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Nyanza regional chairman Bishop David Kodia has forgiven the youth who attacked him during the anti-government protests in Kisumu.
Kodia, who sustained head injuries and rushed to Aga Khan Hospital on Tuesday during the Azimio demonstrations, said he will not pursue the case.
He, however, advocated for dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza government and the Azimio leaders on the problems bedevilling Kenyans as well as the economy.
Kodia, accompanied by the Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit spoke to the press on Friday after a courtesy call to Nyanza police commander Manasseh Musyoka.
He said the best way to find the solutions to the problems Kenyans are facing was through dialogue and not demonstrations.
The cleric pointed out that there were many ways that leaders can use to fix the challenges in the country instead of protests.
“I want to pray to our young people, I have forgiven them, even the injury I am nursing is one of the symbols of our struggle but I want to reiterate that there is a window for dialogue,” Kodia said.
Kodia, who is the Bishop of Bondo ACK Diocese, stated that Sapit had visited to pray with him after the Tuesday incident.
“The visit of the Archbishop was purely pastoral to my family and we decided to pass by the regional police commander to greet him and how to work together for the betterment of the country,” he said.
The youths who had barricaded the road at Kondele intercepted Kodia as he made his way to his house in Lolwe Estate.
“They attacked me, robbed my driver of his mobile as they demanded money. They destroyed my vehicle and hit me on the head,” he said.
Kodia noted that the youths who attacked him went overboard saying that their action demoralises the spirits of those fighting for them to gain their rights and justice.
