Build a Kenya that Works for All
August 29, 2024
Communique of the NCCK 65th General Assembly
Preamble
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has held her 65th General Assembly here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, from 20th to 23rd August 2024. The theme of the General Assembly was Dignified Livelihoods, Resilient Communities, which is drawn from Galatians 6: 9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
The General Assembly is highest governance organ in the NCCK, and meets once every three years, bringing together delegates from the member churches and organisations from across the country. Founded in 1913, the NCCK is the oldest Council of Churches in the world, and has over the last 110 years worked to improve and enhance the well-being of the people of Kenya.
The 65th General Assembly has transacted the statutory business and prayerfully reflected on matters of national concern, and now shares the following message:
1. Build a Better Kenya for All
This General Assembly has taken time to pray for the nation, taking note that we have gone through difficult and challenging times over the last few years. Despite having had peace before and during the 2022 General Elections, the period thereafter has been marked by perpetually rising cost of living, emotive political activity, weakened physical and mental health, and fatal demonstrations that resulted in deaths of dozens of Kenyans. The state of justice, inclusivity and democracy has deteriorated, leading to strife and conflicts as citizen groups feel excluded from decision making and national life.
In the Bible, we learn that God intended the world to be an excellent place for all people to live in, as we read in Genesis 1: 31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
It is a responsibility for all of us, therefore, to put effort to make Kenya a nation that works for all.
It is in this context that we recognize and commend the young people of Kenya, who are commonly referred to as Generation Z, for picking up the mantle and organizing transformative demonstrations that pricked the conscience of our nation and spurred radical governance changes. We further remind all of us that the Gen Z comprise of 17 million Kenyans, who cannot be ignored a they will shape the current and future of our nation. As such, any policies and plans made by the nation and the church must focus on creating a nation where the Gen Z and Gen Alpha will live in and thrive. We can only ignore them at our own risk.
2. Comprehensively Address Climate Change
This General Assembly recognizes that Kenyans in all the counties have been heavily impacted by climate change, leading to deterioration in health and increasing food insecurity. More people are sleeping hungry, and livelihood options for many have been wiped out. Despite the impact of climate change, this General Assembly is concerned that the government not done enough with regard to mitigation and adaptation interventions.
We therefore call upon all County Governments to speedily develop, enact and implement climate change mitigation laws and policies for safeguarding of life. The policies should include strategies to comprehensively educate the citizens on mitigation and adaptation so as to promote household food security.
Towards this, we call upon the National Assembly to speedily repeal the draconian Seed and Plant Varieties Act which prohibits the sharing and exchange of indigenous seeds. We also demand an immediate withdrawal of the other agriculture related Bills that threaten to stifle small-holder farmers in a blatant attempt to benefit foreigners and multi-national corporations. The Bills we are referring to include the Livestock Bill 2024; the Mung Bean Bill 2024; the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Bill 2023, the Price Control (Essential Goods) Amendment Bill 2024; and the Food and Feed Safety Control Bill 2023.
We remind all Parliamentarians that passing anti-people laws will come to affect them individually, as we learn from the Bible in Isaiah 10: 1 – 3
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What ill you do on the day or reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?
On our part, the member churches of the NCCK have committed to use our structures to deliver climate change related messages from the pulpit and other platforms accessible to us. In addition, we have launched a programme in which we will plant 1.5 billion trees in spaces accessible to us over the next ten years.
Further, we will initiate and implement programmes to promote good nutrition for all, and will especially advocate against marketing of unhealthy foods on media.
3. Properly Structure Education
This General Assembly has reviewed the state of education in Kenya. It is unfortunate that the education system is marked by confusion, inequality and injustices. We urge the Ministry of Education to speedily address the concerns that have been raised regarding the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC). The transition to Grade 9 next year is still unclear as regards the availability of facilities and teachers in public primary schools. How many classrooms have been constructed to accommodate the learners? How many teachers have been employed to ensure all learners are within the standard teacher-pupil ratio?
Further, this General Assembly is appalled at the wastage of public funds being witnessed through multiple scholarship programmes. We are convinced that the only reason these scholarships have been set up is to enable the officials to steal the money. We strongly recommend that all the bursaries and scholarships, which total close to KShs 100 billion, be collapsed into a tuition fund that will provide capitation so that we can have truly free education for all.
Further, there is need to urgently review the proposed University Education funding model. It is grossly unjust to have a model that makes education a preserve of the rich. The government should engage in comprehensive public participation so as to have a structure that benefits all qualified Kenyans.
4. Safeguard School Re-opening
This General Assembly is cognizant that parents across the country are waiting and preparing for the reopening of schools next week. However, there is uncertainty following the reports that teachers and lecturers are planning to go on strike. We call upon the Ministry of Education and the Teachers’ Service Commission to engage in meaningful dialogue with the teachers so as to safeguard the education of our children.
Further, the General Assembly has noted with concern the circular reportedly sent to Regional and County Directors of Education directing that all school going children must be registered on the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). We find this to be a backdoor method of pushing Kenyans into the scheme which is yet to be understood and regarding which Kenyans have raised concerns. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the circular and comprehensive public participation so that parents can present their views on the same. Strategies, however good, must not be forced on Kenyans.
5. Reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
This General Assembly is deeply concerned that the country still does not have a functional Electoral and Boundaries Commission. This is a major betrayal of Kenyans by the leading political formations, who seem to have conspired to delay the process through technicalities in Parliament and in the courts.
This dereliction of duty has put the country in great danger, while denying Kenyans the capacity to exercise their constitutional rights as relates to elections and review of electoral boundaries. We demand that Speaker of National Assembly nominates the two representatives from the Parliamentary Service Commission to the IEBC appointments panel, and that the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal speedily addresses the dispute regarding the nominees from the Orange Democratic Movement.
6. Independent Investigations of Extra Judicial Killings
This General Assembly has observed that over the last two months, more than 60 Kenyans were killed in the hands of the police. The whereabouts of an unknown number remain unclear after they were abducted by persons believed to be security agents.
We share our heartfelt condolences with all the bereaved families, and are praying for quick recovery for all those affected. We thank all the people who contributed generously for the medical care of the injured, and all who are supporting those who lost businesses and livelihoods.
To address this issue, we demand that an independent commission is set up to investigate these killings and disappearances in a context where the victims and survivors will be free to give evidence. Kenyans are fully aware that the police cannot fully investigate themselves for the same wrongs they are suspected of committing. We must all remember that a government that treats its citizens unjustly loses moral legitimacy to govern.
7. Listen to the People of Kenya
This General Assembly takes cognizance that the main reason behind the Gen Z led demonstrations was the failure by government officials to listen to the people. Public participation and petitions have been ignored, and Kenyans are opting for demonstrations to capture the attention of responsibility holders. For how long will this disrespect of citizens continue?
We caution the government to remember that the Kenya that works for all is a nation where every voice is listened to, and especially on the following issues:
One, have a clear and workable economic recovery plan that brings to end the uncontrolled borrowing, brings down inflation and interest rates, and accords all Kenyans equitable opportunities for livelihood options. The economy of Kenya should be for Kenyans, not foreigners.
Two, decisively deal with corruption. It is a major concern for Kenyans that in the last two years, corruption cases involving government officials were withdrawn, and stealing of public funds is increasing with uncontrolled impunity.
Three, bring down the level of taxation in the country. The recent threats by the new Cabinet Secretary for Treasury to re-introduce the taxes that were in the rejected Finance Bill 2024 are unsettling, and are likely to push the country back into demonstrations.
Four, develop a marshal plan for the youth, recognizing that the country has had a youth bulge and if we don’t plan for this population, the country will disintegrate into chaos.
Five, we demand that the National Assembly immediately withdraws the Ethics and Anti Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2024. The legislature must not be used to fight the Commission for standing against and exposing corruption.
8. New Council Officials
This General Assembly, having executed its statutory mandate, is pleased to announce the election of the following to hold office for the next three years:
Chairperson – Reverend Dr Elias Agola (Presbyterian Church of East Africa)
Vice Chairperson – Bishop Dr John Okinda (Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa)
Conclusion
In conclusion, we call upon all Kenyans to endeavour to work to build a better nation. Let each of us play our part, just as we pray in the National Anthem:
Let all with one accord, in common bond united, Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya, the fruit of our labour, fill every heart with thanksgiving
Signed on this 23rd day of August 2024 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
Rev Dr Elias Agola
Chairman
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
