The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has held its statutory meeting at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
The Executive Committee recognized that the nation of Kenya is at a critical moment of redefining and reshaping her identity, ethos and future. The Kenya of the next fifty years is being shaped now, and it is of cardinal importance that all Kenyans
play their part.
The NCCK affirms that they met with His Excellency President William Ruto yesterday. The agenda of the meeting was to present our concerns over the failure by government to listen to Kenyans with regard to the Finance Bill 2024 and police brutality in the ongoing demonstrations. The President committed that the Bill
would be withdrawn, that the police would cease brutality on the demonstrators, and the military would not be deployed. We have shared with the people of Kenya the
memorandum that we presented to the President. Recognizing that these will contribute to the shaping of the future of our nation, we share the following message.
1. Understand Kenya’s Demographics
Kenya is a very youthful country, with those aged below 35 years constituting 79% of the
population. This is the population that has the biggest stake in the nation today and in
future. It is therefore a major concern that the youth are highly deprived with regard to
education, life skills and employment. If this status is not remedied, the risk of sinking into social chaos is very high.
NCCK calls upon all institutions and leaders to focus more than 80 percent of their
efforts and resources on empowering the youth to have dignified livelihoods and to be
equipped for leadership. The first step in this process is listening to the youth and creating platforms for them to shape the nation they desire to live in.
On our part as the NCCK, we have committed to:
One, we will establish centers of excellence for the youth to acquire skills and
opportunities for creating pathways for dignified livelihoods and creation of resilient communities.
Two, each of our member churches will develop youth led, youth owned and youth
focused programs of action premised on the basis of the principle of “nothing for
the youth without the youth”.
Three, organize people-driven multisectoral economic forums at the local levels,
culminating in a national economic conference in which Kenyans will analyze the current economic state of the nation, identify what is ailing us, and find solutions
for a better future.
Four, review and enhance budgets and programs to increase resources for youth
work and youth programs in our churches
Five, continue spearheading capacity building of the youth and other members of
the church for enhanced citizen participation for strengthened public accountability.
2. Listen to the People of Kenya
In shaping the future of the nation, it is of absolute importance that the political leadership listens to the people so as to honor their will. In this regard, we in the National Council of Churches of Kenya are mourning with deep sadness the deaths of dozens of Kenyans who have been killed by police during demonstrations. We pass our condolences to thefamilies that have been bereaved by these unnecessary deaths, and are praying for quickrecovery for all those injured.
The killing of dozens of peacefully picketing Kenyans by the police is totally unacceptable.
It must never be repeated.
Further, we find it heartless, insensitive and disdainful for the Members of Parliament to
have ignored the will of the people by passing the Finance Bill 2024. By this action,
Parliament erased its legitimacy in the eyes of the voters. NCCK calls upon the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a special seating for the members can respond to the Memorandum by the President so that the Finance Bill 2024 is repealed.
3. No Further Bloodshed
The youth of Kenya have come out to exercise their right to peaceful picketing as they enhance their participation in national life. We demand that the state stops curtailing this right by use of police and the military. In addition, the abduction and clandestine arrest of youthful actors must be stopped. All the youths who have been arrested during the demonstrations must be unconditionally released immediately.
It is especially of concern to us that despite a Court Order, the military has been deployed
in different parts of Nairobi today. We demand that the government commits to obey the law and allow the Kenyans to peacefully express their aspirations.
On our part, we are organizing with our member churches to mark 7 days of mourning to remember and honor the young heroes who have died as they exercised their right to participate in governance of the nation. The days of mourning will commence tomorrow
Friday June 28 and culminate in memorial services in the churches on Sunday July 7,
2024.
4. Reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,
To secure the electoral future of our nation, we urge His Excellency President William Ruto and concerned stakeholders to hear the cry of the people of Kenya and facilitate
completion of the process to appoint of the IEBC commissioners.
Kenyans in constituencies and wards that have been unable to hold by-elections are
suffering injustice, and the boundaries review process is yet to be done. This process must be completed without further delay.
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