The Role of the Church in Poverty Alleviation in Kenya.
Date
2000-02
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
According to the latest Kenya Human Development Report, the number of the
poor people increased from 3.7 million in 1972-1973 to 11.5 million in 1994. It also
increased from 12.5 million in 1997 and exceeded 13million by the end of 1998. The
same Kenya Human Development Report also states clearly that if the potential
aspiration of the poor to come out of poverty are ignored, this could result into
disaffection which may lead to social unrest and political instability.'
In the face of this rapid growth of poverty in this country, the government has
recently launched a poverty eradication programme in which it has spelled out some of
the various means and ways of solving the problem. In fact, in the recent meeting of the
heads of African states held in Gabon, the government of Kenya represented by President
Moi committed itself to the reduction of poverty by one half by the end of 2015. 2As
Christians we are called upon to contribute positively to this noble course, not simply
because the government has proposed this programme but more so because the reduction
of poverty which undermines the dignity of the human person pertains to the very nature
of our Christian calling. Pope John Paul II in his post synod apostolic exhortation
Ecclesia in Africa stresses the fact that the incarnation of the Word of God is the
foundation of the restoration of the human dignity. Therefore, to proclaim Christ to the
people is to reveal to them their inalienable dignity received from God. By extension,
nobody should in any way. live in sub-human socio-economic and political conditions,
(cf. F A. No.69). Poverty in Kenya is definitely a threat to the dignity of the people living in this
country. Therefore, the contribution of the Church in this effort to reduce poverty in
Kenya is very necessary.
In this essay, we will bring into the limelight the contribution of the Church
towards poverty alleviation in the past and what she could still do in the future. We shall
basically use the written documents namely the scriptures, some documents of the
Church, the works of some theologians and some books on economic analysis. We shall
also complement our readings with practical researches based on our experience, oral
interview and written questionnaires and personal reflection.
2 Editorial,
Description
Keywords
Church, Poverty