A section of senior church leaders from central Kenya wants the government to sit down for talks with Mungiki, a banned ultra-traditionalist tribal sect dreaded for bizarre murders, extortion and a campaign to impose circumcision and a strict dress code on women.

The sect has considerable might and the state cannot easily subdue it, the clerics, including Cardinal John Njue, said at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi. The Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian leaders also called for release of jailed sect leader, Maina Njenga, saying he is one of the country's "renowned personalities". Njenga is in prison for illegal possession of firearms.

The joint statement was signed by Cardinal Njue, retired Archbishop John Njenga of Mombasa, Auxiliary Bishop David Kamau of Nairobi, Anglican Bishop Gideon Githiga of Thika, Anglican Bishop Timothy Ranji of Mount Kenya South, Presbyterian secretary-general Rev. Samuel Njoroge and Rev Simon Githinji, Presbyterian moderator for Kasarani.

"The government is denying the obvious. This group is not a small force to dismiss with television and radio statements. There is a need [for] another strategy to deal with this sect," the church leaders said.

Last month, the Catholic bishops of Kenya expressed concern over militia groups in the country in the wake of Mungiki atrocities in Nairobi and several other towns. The bishops urged the government "to take up its cardinal role in ensuring security for all citizens."

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a state body, said the disruption caused by Mungiki highlighted the need to disarm and permanently demobilize all militia. "Nothing can justify the killings they have committed and in this regard they should be arrested and charged in court," said KNCHR chairman Maina Kiai.

But at the press conference on Thursday, the clerics from central Kenya asked the state to end its crackdown on Mungiki, stop demonizing the sect and instead extend loans to the members to start income-generating activities.

"These youth within Mungiki are energetic, averagely educated but jobless and living in absolute poverty. They cannot starve when the rich and elite are eating to the surplus."

The call by the religious leaders follows a similar one from politicians from central Kenya, the Mungiki heartland where the sect has spread terror and seeks to control all economic activities through extortion.

Police have sworn to wipe out the group. In Murang'a and Maragwa districts, between six and ten Mungiki suspects killed by the police are buried daily, the church leaders said. A similar crackdown is on in other parts of the region and neighbouring towns.

The clerics accused prominent politicians, whom they did not name, of relying on sect members for mobilization and protection and later dumping them. "Politicians ought to be told to stop the method of "use and dump". Mungiki are people not things."

The clerics said they will organize a prayer service for the sect and will meet politicians from Nairobi and central Kenya on the sect.

"We, the religious leaders, have to organize and meet the politicians that have a stake in the affairs of Mungiki. Meanwhile, we request our government to soften the language used while issuing security statements on any group of Kenyans that may happen to disagree with some government-backed opinions."

Mungiki is a national problem that needs a long-lasting solution, they said. "It is a fact that the majority of Mungiki are found in slums and coffee zones because of poverty. The convinced Mungiki should be invited for dialogue with the government and be allocated funds to run business and reduce this poverty and misery."