Pope Francis has urged Kenyans to unite and take a stand against the destructive effects of tribalism.During a speech to young people in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he got the audience to hold hands to symbolise that they stood together as one nation.
Kenya was shaken by inter-ethnic violence after elections in 2007 in which 1,200 people died.The pontiff also made an impassioned plea against corruption, saying: "Corrupt people don't live in peace." the crowd cheered wildly when he condemned corruption and urged them not to accept bribes.
"Each time we put it in our pockets, we destroy our hearts we destroy our personalities and we destroy our country. Please don't develop that taste for that sugar that is corruption."
Overcoming tribalism would be a daily endeavour that would require Kenyans to listen one another to avoid division, he said.
"I want to invite you all - that we hold each other's hands - let's hold hands together, let's stand up as a sign against bad tribalism we are all a nation."
Pope Francis also addressed radicalisation in a country which has suffered several serious attacks by Islamists from the Somalia-based al-Shabab group.
"If a young woman or man has no work, can not study, what can he or she do? The first thing we have to do to stop a young person to be recruited - is education and work."
BBC
