This Executive Committee has over time noted with concern that the country is always caught unprepared when environmental emergencies occur. Of note has been the prevailing cyclical alternation’s between floods and droughts, a situation that has been worsened by Climate Change. We plead with all Kenyans, and especially the national and county governments, to make adequate preparations before the emergencies happen so• that lives are not lost and . livelihoods are protected. Current reports from the Meteorological Department indicate that heavy rains are expected in the medium term period, and therefore this is the time to clean up drainages, repair roads, and check flood• prone areas to ensure the extra rain does not lead to floods. We further urge the government to mitigate the impact of the flooding of lakes in the Rift Valley that has displaced many people. Let us all fix the roof when the sun is shining.
This Executive Committee has noted that the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill popularly known as the BBi Bill, is currently being considered by County Assemblies. This is a crucial process in which all Kenyans should participate. The amendments to the constitution will touch the lives of all Kenyans. Of importance is that we must all maintain peace before, during and after the referendum. No Kenyan should suffer or die because of the referendum. We therefore urge all Kenyans to attend civic education events, and to read and understand the Bill so as to make an informed decision during the anticipated referendum.
We also call for Members of County Assemblies and the general public to vote on-e way or the other during the referendum. This offends the principle of free choice as a tenet of democracy. We all must end this culture of handouts to influence decisions.
On our part Gs the National Council of Churches of Kenya, we have developed a Civic
Education Handbook to help Kenyans understand the implications of each of the amendments proposed in the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020. We will use the Handbook during our nationwide civic engagements that we have scheduled between now and the referendum. We will also be recruiting electoral and peace monitors to gather data for early warning and early action and advocacy.
This Executive Committee remains concerned that the constitutionally scheduled 2022
General Election is not getting adequate attention. We reiterate that the challenges that affected the 2017 general election, and by extension the elections before that, still remain unresolved. Instead of these challenges being addressed, Kenyans are witnessing a radical increase in toxic politics. The use of foul language is widespread and must be1i1 stopped. Politicians should not train our children that it is okay to insult one another, spew· out lies, and malign the characters of others. This trend· is contradictory to the provisions on national values contained in the Constitution. We speak out on behalf of Kenyans who have expressed serious concerns that politicians are leading the people towards the dark path of hatred, conflict and violence. We call upon all actors to rise up and stop the country from sliding into anarchy. Further to this, we are concerned that political actors are increasingly establishing and supporting gangs that engage in criminal activities against other Kenyans.
We strongly recommend to all Kenyans to reject any political actor who engages in foul language or violence. As citizens, we can teach our leaders to have decorum by denying any who are not tolerant leadership positions.
Administratively, we urge the government to undertake the necessary measures to ensure that we are ready for the referendum and the 2022 General Elections. These measures include:
a) Replacement of the Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries
Commission who resigned to resolve the festering leadership crisis at the institution b) Audit of the electoral process to identify and resolve the gaps that led to .concerns
and disputes during the past elections
c) Review and updating of the Voters’ Register
d) Passing and implementation of electoral related laws
This Executive Committee takes to mind, and wishes to remind our brothers and sisters who a.re leaders in religious institutions, the advice given in 1 Peter 5: 2 – 4
Be shepherds of God‘s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being example to the flock.
We plead with you to deeply rove God and focus on shepherding His people, including the political leaders. Let us remember that people come to the church and other places of worship to seek God. Our mandate is to feed them spiritually, and to achieve this we have a responsibility to maintain the sanctity of our sanctuaries. We therefore should not allow any persons to engage in foul language and politicking in places of worship.
Of note, we urge all religious leaders to resist the temptation to ask for donations from politicians and aspirants in exchange for· allowing the sanctuaries to be platforms for political vitriol and campaigns
We conclude by wishing all Kenyans a blessed Lent and a moment of sober reflection on our lives as we look forward to the remembrance of the sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus that brings us salvation during Easter.
May God bless Kenya now and always.
