"Now is the time to put the interests of the nation and the surrounding region above other concerns," said the Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Kenyan national who serves as general secretary of the World Council of Churches. His call added to concern from another global church leader and the head of the U.N. agency dealing with humanitarian affairs, Louise Arbour.

As many as 50 people seeking refuge in a church in western Kenya were burned to death after a mob set fire to the building in the explosion of ethnic violence that erupted in Kenya. The violence following the disputed December 27 election which was said to have been a very close call between the incumbent and the main opposition challenger.

Red Cross officials said that around 50 people died inside the church in a small village 300 kilometers northwest of the capital Nairobi after a crowd doused it with petrol and set fire to it. In Nairobi, armed tribal groups squared off against each other in several slums clogged with clouds of smoke and punctuated with sounds of gunshots.

In the post election polemics, President Mwai Kibaki's government accused rival Raila Odinga's party of engaging in genocide, as authorities said the death toll from tribal violence over the disputed election had surpassed 300.

"The people of Kenya and their many friends in countries and in churches around the world are appalled and concerned as the outcome of the recent elections has descended into violence," said Kobia.

"Now is the time for leadership and statesmanship for the good of the nation from the leaders of Kenya's two main parties, the Party of National Unity and the Orange Democratic Movement," said Kobia. "As leaders, they must turn urgently from partisan postures and negotiate in good faith to reach a non-violent, political solution to Kenya's electoral dispute."

Another Geneva-based religious leader, the Rev. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the 75-million-strong World Alliance of Reformed Church noted in a letter to Presbyterian leaders in Kenya that churches had "played a leadership role in recent years in the democratization" of the east African country.

"This time more than ever before, the church is called upon again to rise above any attempts to be drawn into the polarization by standing firmly for peace and justice and the protection of life and property in this period of determining the political future of the country," said Nyomi, a Ghanaian. "Your calmness and prophetic stance for peace will go a long way in bringing healing to Kenya."

The two church leaders' calls followed a statement on December 31 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, who said, "The [Kenyan] government must abide by its international human rights obligations in responding to demonstrations. This includes holding police accountable for their actions. While I recognize the challenges in maintaining order, security forces must employ force only in proportion to the actual threat faced."

In his message, Kobia said that Kenyan politicians as statesmen "must rekindle national and international confidence in their intentions. An independent investigation of the electoral dispute is necessary and should be monitored by international observers."

Kobia, who became the first African to head the WCC in 2004, called on the churches of Kenya to work for good of their communities and country.

"Churches have a leading role to play in ensuring respect for human life and seeking reconciliation between neighbors," he said. "This is especially urgent amid ominous signs of ethnically targeted hatred and violence. Homes, businesses, public buildings and places of worship must remain safe."

He also urged churches abroad to provide humanitarian aid through ecumenical partners in Kenya to communities affected by the violence.