PREFACE

I am greatly honored to present the 7th Corporate Plan of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), which covers the period 2019 – 2023.

The Plan was developed over a period 18 months in a process that entailed a number of stages, including:

A Mid-Term review of the 6th Corporate Plan (2014 – 2018)
An analysis of Kenya’s socio-economic and political developments and trends
A review of past and current strategies and interventions of the Council to establish their efficacy
Identification of priority needs in the community and within the member churches
Identification of most viable strategies and approaches to meet those needs and ascertain the Council’s niche
Identification and documentation of the implementation structures required to address the pressing needs
Development of budgets for the identified interventions and resource mobilization strategies
Reviewing and improving on the sustainability strategies of the Council

Similar processes have been followed since 1996 when the Council began developing Corporate Plans, being inspired by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in Luke 14: 28 – 30

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish”. (NIV)

From the analysis done during the development of this Plan, one of the most significant influencers of its implementation is the apparent nationwide dissatisfaction with the Constitution of Kenya 2010. It is worth noting that the same issues Kenyans complained about before the Constitution’s promulgation are the same one they are struggling with eight years later.

For this reason, the Corporate Plan will be implemented in a context characterized by countrywide advocacy for constitutional and legal reforms compounded by ethnic-oriented campaigning for positions in the 2022 General Elections. Coupled with declining economic performance at personal and national levels, these factors will result in a situation where development and social delivery will not be prioritized by both national and county governments.

Recognizably, the member churches and organisations will operate over those five years operate in this challenging environment. The Council will thus endeavor to enhance fellowship and common understanding of social-political issues within the membership. This will be in addition to strengthening the Organisational Capacities of the membership to fulfil their mandates in a dynamic context.

It is with this understanding that we chose for this Corporate Plan period the theme “That we May Be One (Jeremiah 32: 38 – 39)”
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them (NIV).

By adopting this theme, we in the Council are committing to work for national unity, national cohesion and national values based on the preeminence of God over the nation. We are cognizant that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 recognizes God as the source and foundation of the nation.

This Corporate Plan thus lays out the needs that the Council will seek to address over the next five years, the strategies and interventions to be adopted to meet those needs, and the institutional structures required to achieve that goal.

We will continue to be guided by the Vision, Mission and Core Values, which are:
Vision:                   One Church; United in Faith and Mission Witnessing to Jesus Christ and Transforming Lives
Mission:                 Holistic transformation of lives for a just, resilient and sustainable society
Core Values:          Integrity, Stewardship, Professionalism, Partnership and Servanthood

During the development of the 7th Corporate Plan, it was found necessary that the Council develops and adopts a Theological Mandate and a Theory of Change. These are crucial elements that inform our partners and stakeholders why we do what we do. We are thus honored to present these as being integral to this plan:

Theological Mandate:
To manifest Christian faith and mission and strengthen members to fulfill their mandates.

Theory of Change:
If NCCK holistically strengthens her capabilities and structures, and enhances the institutional capacities and competencies of her members, then she will contribute to the creation of a just, resilient and sustainable society for transformed lives.

It is our hope and prayer that as you read this Corporate Plan, you will be inspired to partner with us to work to transform the lives of the people of Kenya.

May the Lord God Almighty bless you and all the work you do. And may He bless this Council always.

Rev Canon Peter Karanja
GENERAL SECRETARY

December 2018