Clerics under the umbrella of the National Council of Churches (NCCK) (Central Region) are now calling for a raft of changes in the country including an end to early campaigns ahead of the 2027 election.
Addressing the press on the sidelines of a two-day meeting at the Caritas Development Centre in Nyeri, the religious leaders have also tasked both the county and national governments to do more in addressing the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
They warned that unless drastic steps are taken to roll back the steady rise of NCDs in the country, more Kenyans will continue losing their lives to the scourge.
“To address the increasing burden of Non Communicable Diseases, we demand that the Ministry of Health finalizes the development and implements a framework for regulation of marketing of foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats,” read the statement which was jointly read by Revered David Njuguna, Bishop Stephen Njogu and Pastor Susan Kamiru on behalf of the council.
“Further, producers of such foods must be required to include Front of Pack Warning Labels so that buyers are aware of what they are purchasing. Further to this, we appeal to all counsellors and psychologists who are willing to volunteer in our churches so that we provide free counseling and psychosocial services to the people to address the current mental health challenges,” they said.
In regard to today’s mini-poll, the clerics called for security organs to ensure the exercise is conducted in a peaceful environment devoid of hooliganism or voter bribery.
They cautioned that unless the security of both voters and candidates is guaranteed, the election will fall below the acceptable standards of a fair contest.
“We call upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take firm action against all politicians and political parties, whether in government or opposition, who are engaging in early campaigns. If you cannot control them when they campaign illegally, how can we trust you to stop them rigging elections in 2027 or even tomorrow (today) during the by-elections?” read the joint statement.
The Council also wants more to be done in apprehending politicians and individuals found inciting members of the public against perceived or real opponents ahead of the 2027 General election.
They also called upon both the security organs and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to work hand in hand in identifying persons involved in acts that can imperil the peace of the country and make such persons barred from vying for any political office.
“We challenge the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights, the Commission on Administration of Justice, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Director of Public Prosecutions to take visible, timely and punitive action against all politicians who are spewing out hate speech and incitement,” continued the statement.
The religious leaders also affirmed their resolve to continue barring politicians from using the pulpit to achieve political mileage.
They however clarified that while the church restricts leaders from politicking inside houses of worship, politicians are at liberty to continue joining congregants for normal worship.
The leaders also pledged to remain objective and non-partisan as far as political leanings is concerned but promised to continue holding political leaders accountable for their actions and utterances.
“We commit to effect the guidelines issued by the NCCK Executive Committee on ministering to politicians. Under these guidelines, all politicians who attend worship services will be treated the same as all other worshippers,” they pointed out.
“Secondly, all monetary and material contributions shall be treated as offerings and will not be announced or given with ceremony. We will not allow politicians to address congregants inside the church, and will instead advise them to speak to the people outside the church building after the service.”
by Samuel Maina
