NCCK Raise Alarm over the State of the Nation
By Njeri Irungu
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), during a two-day statutory meeting held at the Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru, issued a heartfelt message to the people of Kenya. In a Pastoral Letter, the Executive Committee of the NCCK outlined the dire state of the nation and called upon the citizens to rise and reclaim their destiny.
The situation in Kenya today, the letter begins, mirrors the critical condition of a patient in the Intensive Care Unit. The nation’s economy is in freefall, and the purchasing power of ordinary Kenyans is rapidly diminishing. The collapse of businesses, rising unemployment, and increasing poverty are taking a devastating toll. The respect for human rights has also deteriorated to alarming levels, with many citizens, particularly leaders and human rights defenders, living in fear of abduction and forced disappearances. Misinformation has become rampant, leading to a deep sense of distrust among the people. Furthermore, the very constitutional framework that binds the nation together is under attack, with attempts to introduce anti-people amendments and provisions.
In the face of these challenges, the NCCK urges Kenyans to take responsibility for their nation’s future. Citing the words of the Bible, the letter emphasizes the importance of truth. The Executive Committee warns against the tendency to believe false narratives peddled by political leaders seeking power or to maintain their grip on it. “We implore you to be seekers of truth,” the letter states, “Do not just believe what is said, but take a step to verify if what you have been told is true.”
A key focus of the letter is the urgent need to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The IEBC, a crucial body in ensuring the democratic rights of Kenyans, has been stymied by political inaction, and the letter decries this refusal to reform the commission. The NCCK urges citizens to hold their leaders accountable and demand the recruitment of new IEBC commissioners. The judiciary must act swiftly to resolve any pending cases concerning the reconstitution of the commission, and the people must not rest until democracy is restored.
The Pastoral Letter also addresses the issue of underperforming political leaders. Many Members of Parliament (MPs) have become mere tools of the Executive, failing to fulfill their constitutional duties to represent the people. Instead of holding the government accountable, they have become cheerleaders of oppression, passing laws that harm the citizenry. In this context, the NCCK encourages Kenyans to use their constitutional right to recall MPs who do not meet the expectations of their constituents. “As the electorate, you are the employer, not a servant,” the letter states. “You have the right to recall.”
Healthcare, another critical issue highlighted in the letter, has become a source of concern for many Kenyans. The introduction of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has been hasty, and without the necessary infrastructure, it has led to confusion and suffering. The NCCK calls for the suspension of SHIF until it is properly structured, and demands that MPs who passed the bill without regard for the nation’s well-being be held accountable.
Corruption remains one of the biggest challenges facing Kenya, and the letter does not shy away from condemning it. With corruption pervasive in all branches of government, the NCCK urges the people of Kenya to reject the culture of celebrating corrupt leaders and instead, work towards building a society that values integrity. “We must stop the culture of celebrating the corrupt and start ashaming them instead,” the letter declares.
Moreover, the letter calls for urgent people-focused reforms, particularly in agriculture and governance. The recent introduction of bills that could drastically alter the electoral framework and even criminalize food production has sparked concern. The NCCK urges citizens to stand firm and demand the withdrawal of such laws, and to reject the imposition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and other external agendas on Kenya.
The letter also tackles the rising cases of gender-based violence and the discrimination against persons with disabilities. The NCCK calls for peaceful conflict resolution, urging communities to embrace dialogue and counseling. There is a call for an end to all forms of violence and discrimination, and for a society that values human dignity and equality.
In conclusion, the NCCK appeals to Kenyans to unite and take charge of their future. The nation’s destiny should not be left to political leaders who have betrayed the trust of the people. Instead, the citizens must come together, united in purpose, to build a better future. The letter invokes the spirit of national unity expressed in the Bible and Kenya’s National Anthem, urging all citizens to work together for the common good.
As the letter ends, the NCCK wishes all Kenyans a blessed, Christ-centered Christmas and a prosperous New Year, calling on the people to remember that they hold the key to shaping the future of their nation.
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