No religion advocates violence, Kenya tells world speakers conference

Violence is holding back development in Africa and should be condemned by people of all faiths, and no religion advocates violence, Justin Muturi, speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, told the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament here Wednesday.

"There is no religion that advocates for violence," said Muturi. "In fact, people of goodwill from all religious faiths must condemn these deaths and acts."

Muturi added that violence has held back development in parts of Africa, preventing attainment of the Millennium Development Goals -- a set of eight anti-poverty targets for the end of 2015.

"The attainment of the Millennium Development Goals timelines has been in some places challenged by security concerns occasioned by terrorist groups like the Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab who have wreaked havoc in parts of Africa," said Muturi.

Muturi emphasized that these terrorist groups spread fear and hatred but represented the views of only a small minority.

"We should not allow a few people to spread fear and religious animosity at the expense of peace and stability of our nations," he said. "Whatever the grievances such groups may have by any dint of imagination these cannot and should not justify the barbaric acts of terrorism."

Kenya is one of the victims of terrorist attacks in the world. In April, 148 students were killed in Kenya when Al-Shabaab gunmen opened fire at Garissa University. Endit