Walk the Talk

Press Statement

Preamble

The Kirinyaga County Coordinating Committee met here at KAG Kerugoya Church on March 28, 2024 to transact formal business and reflect on issues of concern to the citizens.

The delegates were inspired by scripture drawn from James 1:22

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Having considered the state of our county and the nation, we now share the following message.

Implement Alcoholic Drinks Control Act

The residents of Kirinyaga County have continued to suffer the consequences of uncontrolled alcohol use, illicit brews, and drug and substance abuse. It is saddening to note that our County is among the leading counties with the highest number of deaths resulting from illicit brews. Broken marriages, school dropouts, and gender-based violence are rampant as a result of its consumption. We commend the initiative by the National government led by His Excellency Deputy President Hon. Rigathi Gachagua and the Kirinyaga County Governor HE. Anne Waiguru towards ensuring that the illicit brews are brought down.

Of notable significance is the passage of the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2023 which will go a long way in fighting the deadly illicit brews that have bedeviled the County. We look forward to its immediate implementation, and we commit to partner with the county in fighting this away against the illicit brews.

2. Fight Corruption

National Ethics and Corruption Survey Report 2023 has sadly shown that corruption is growing at 70% has continued to grow at an alarming rate. Corruption has caused public funds to be misappropriated from important priorities like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Corruption has greatly eroded institutional integrity, reducing public trust in government and dampening political legitimacy. It has exacerbated inequality and poverty by allowing the dishonest accumulation of wealth and power at the expense of the broader population. Corruption has been the major enabling factor for a culture of impunity and crimes. At its core, corruption is a violation of human rights, denying citizens their rightful share of public services and resources while privileging the connected few over society’s greater good.

Though the forces allowing graft, bribery, and embezzlement to fester may seem entrenched and powerful, they are no match for the collective will of people demanding truth, justice, and accountability. We call on the residents of Kirinyaga and its leaders to courageously take the ‘bull by the horns’ and eradicate this vice. Kirinyaga NCCK commits to leading in speaking truth to power and mobilizing all our members to fight this menace.

3. Resolve the Healthcare Crisis Speedily

We are concerned that the country is going through a serious healthcare crisis. The transition from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Insurance Fund is extremely slow and not well understood. As a result, many patients are suffering greatly as health facilities quietly decline to treat them based on the NHIF. We call upon the government to speed up the transition and to especially undertake widespread civic education on the same.

We are saddened by images of the sick remaining unattended in public healthcare facilities due to the ongoing doctor’s strike. we call upon all county governments across the country to hold meaningful dialogue with doctors and other medics to resolve the emerging crisis due to strikes.

4. Educate People on the NADCO Report

We have reviewed the report by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) that was presented to and passed by Parliament. We are aware that the focus has now shifted to implementation through the formulation of laws and policies. There is however a major concern that most Kenyans are not aware of the proposals made in the NADCO report or the implications when these are implemented.

We call upon the National Assembly to put in place a nationwide civic education programme so that Kenyans are aware of the measures that are being implemented.

5. Call to Support NCCK Scholarship Programme

We in the National Council of Churches of Kenya have been providing scholarships for 63 students in Secondary Schools each year. However, the number of needy students remains very high. We now welcome all Kenyans to support our scholarship programme by contributing one shilling and fifty cents each day by sending an SMS written ELIMU to 29888. Let us pool our resources to support our children to go through secondary school.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we thank God for the peace that continues to prevail in our nation. We call upon all leaders at the county and national levels to focus on the welfare of the people, keeping in mind the inspiration of Mathew 7:12a

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you….”

May the Lord bless our great County!

Signed

Rev Perminas Gathaiya

Chairman, NCCK Kirinyaga County Coordinating Committee