National Council of Churches of Kenya

KENYA CHRISTIAN CHURCH LEADERS

Press Statement

Preamble

We the church leaders have today taken time to prayerfully reflect on the state of our nation and wish to passionately urge Kenyans to pursue peace in our nation. Further, we wish to communicate the following:

1. 1. Peace and Security

Evidence from the ground shows that wounds inflicted during the 2007 / 2008 post election violence are still raw. In addition, most of the wounds accumulated in historical election and land related conflicts have never healed. The country is in the meantime getting into a season of heightened political activity with the danger that new wounds will be afflicted.

We therefore call upon all politicians to be sensitive in their campaigns and avoid utterances and actions that may jeopardize peace. Each person must recognize that all the 42 tribes in Kenya have a right to be there and must be included in the strategies by political parties and candidates. Candidates and parties that parochially tribalise the nation are not worth our consideration. Further, we remind Kenyans to appreciate that political in competition there will be people in government and others in opposition, and that this should however not mean enemity and violence against each other.

It is in this regard that we strongly condemn the violence being witnessed in Isiolo and Moyale and urge the State to clamp down on the leaders reported to be inciting communities against each other.

On our part as church leaders, we commit and urge our brothers and sisters to avoid actions that may be construed to imply politicization of the gospel and prayers. We should not use the electioneering processes as a fundraising strategy. Let us all support the provision in the Elections Act that aspiring politicians should not participate in fund raising activities.

1. 2. Elections and the new boundaries

We are concerned that the date of the next general elections has not been clarified. As Church leaders we respect the court ruling that gave two options on deciding this date. However, without a definite election date, Kenyans remain anxious and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission cannot sufficiently plan for the polls.

To ensure there is adequate preparations for the elections, and to remove the anxiety and uncertainty, we urge the two principals to communicate to the nation their decision as guided by the court ruling.

To prepare Kenyans for the elections, there is a strong and clear need for extensive voter and civic education across the nation. We urge the Treasury to allocate the funds required for this essential activity, and here indicate that the church in Kenya will be seeking partnerships with the state and other partners and actively to ensure that Kenyans are adequately prepared for the elections.

On the issue of electoral boundaries, we have observed with deep concern the intense emotions that have characterized the hearings. Whereas we appreciate the right of those aggrieved to be heard, we urge for calm and sobriety in the ensuing debate. We call on the Parliament to give attention to the concerns expressed and ensure that justice is delivered to all.

1. Mombasa Republican Council

As church leaders, we take seriously the sentiments expressed by some of our brothers and sisters at the Coast. They have raised genuine grievances that should be addressed adequately. However, their assertion that “Pwani Si Kenya” is secessionist and in essence treasonable. It could be the early signs of war. We therefore demand that the government takes all the necessary measures to ensure that no violence will come to our nation. We do not want Kenya to be dismembered

1. 4. Marriage Bill

We are saddened by the efforts of the certain powers to greatly devalue families in Kenya by watering down the Marriage Bill. In our view the Bill should not be worded as a reaction to normal difficulties that have befallen a few people. Marriage is sacred and must be a life time covenant that should be safeguarded at all cost. Marriage is the seed of the family unit which is the nuclear of the society and should therefore be protected by law.

We are therefore opposed to provisions that are aimed at facilitating easy divorce. Further we oppose the collapsing into one all the different types and categories of marriage. We cannot accept a law that recognizes polygamy and polyandry under Christian marriage.  We demand that Christian marriage be defined by a separate Christian Marriage Act whose provisions will be premised on biblical teachings. We have already forwarded our memorandum to the relevant organs of government reviewing this bill.

With regard to marital violence, we recognize that the emerging trend is an expression of the crisis that has engulfed the family institution in Kenya. Even as the law is brought to bear on those visiting violence on their spouses, there is a great need for all interested persons to work towards wholesome family education for those in marriage and comprehensive pre-marital counseling for those planning to come together in marriage.

1. The Leadership and Integrity Bill

On the Leadership and Integrity Bill, we urge Ministry of Justice and the Commission for implementation of the Constitution to ensure that the letter and spirit of the constitution is reflected. This bill is critical in ensuring that only persons with credible integrity are entrusted with leadership of this country.

1. 6. National Prayer Day

Recognizing the challenges facing our nation and the hard task of implementing the new constitution coupled with the general elections, we as Church leaders will be announcing a day and venue for a national prayer day. We shall congregate and take time on this day to pray for our nation. We urge all Kenyans to join us as we seek forgiveness from God and commit our nation to the Almighty God.

1. 7. Conclusion

As the campaigns for the next election intensify, we expect the relevant state organs to exert all effort towards preserving peace and ensuring that politicians remain within the law as they conduct the campaigns.  We appeal to all Kenyans to reject any efforts by politicians to incite them against one another and shame and reject any leaders who stroke tribal emotion.

As the Church we are remain engaged in this matter and shall use our grassroots structures to engage Kenyans in promoting peaceful campaigns and elections and the coexistence of all communities.

Signed at Ol Lerai, Nairobi, on this 15^th day of February 2012