NCCK Raises Alarm Over State of the Nation
By Shadrack Nyakoe
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has issued a sobering pastoral letter to the people of Kenya, expressing deep concern over the state of the nation.
Meeting at the Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru, the Council’s Executive Committee described the country’s condition as dire, comparing it to a patient in the Intensive Care Unit.
The NCCK pointed to an economy in free fall, with rising unemployment, collapsing businesses, and increasing poverty. Human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law have led to fear among activists and leaders.
Additionally, the Council highlighted the proliferation of falsehoods in public discourse, which has left citizens unsure of what to believe. They also warned of threats to constitutional integrity, citing attempts to introduce amendments that undermine democracy.
In their pastoral letter, the NCCK urged Kenyans to seek truth and critically examine narratives promoted by political leaders. “We must be seekers of truth, verifying the information we receive and rejecting lies and propaganda,” they emphasized, referencing Ezekiel 13:19 to warn against embracing falsehoods.
The Council called for urgent reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which they termed vital for the country’s democratic health.
They appealed to citizens to hold leaders accountable, particularly Members of Parliament, who they accused of prioritizing personal interests over public service.
Speaking on behalf of the Council, General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui said, “The electorate must remember that they hold the power. Members of Parliament are not our masters; they are our servants. It is time we demand better representation and accountability.”
Healthcare reform was another pressing concern. The NCCK criticized the rushed implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), warning that it risks causing widespread suffering.
They called for its suspension until proper systems are in place and urged Kenyans to hold Parliament accountable for enacting laws that harm public welfare.
Corruption also featured prominently in the Council’s letter. They described it as the most destructive pandemic afflicting Kenya, permeating all arms of government and independent commissions.
Quoting Micah 3:11, the Council condemned the culture of bribery and urged citizens to reject questionable contributions from political leaders.
Chairman Rev. Elias Otieno Agola reinforced the Council’s stance, saying, “As a nation, we must stop celebrating the corrupt and start rejecting them. Let us support and elect leaders of integrity, for only we as Kenyans can end corruption.”
The NCCK also opposed recent legislative proposals that they argued threaten democracy and food security, including those introducing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and criminalizing certain agricultural practices.
They urged Kenyans to demand the withdrawal of such laws, which they said do not reflect the interests of the people.
In addition, the Council appealed for unity in combating rising gender-based violence and discrimination against persons with disabilities. They encouraged peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue, mediation, and counseling.
The pastoral letter concluded with a call for collective action and unity among Kenyans.
“The destiny of this nation lies in our hands. We cannot leave this responsibility to political leaders who have consistently betrayed us,” the NCCK stated, drawing inspiration from 1 Corinthians 1:10 and the Kenyan National Anthem.
