Let’s Rescue Our Country – Press Statement

LET’S RESCUE OUR COUNTRY

PRESS STATEMENT

PREAMBLE

Religious Leaders drawn from the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims have met here at Ufungamano House to review the worsening situation in our nation. We especially took note of the intensifying level of incitement and hate-mongering happening in the country, which must be brought to an end before our nation is destroyed. We as a nation seem to have forgotten the wisdom recorded in the Bible in Proverbs 20: 3

It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

And in the Quran Sura 16: 126

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly admonition, and argue with them in away that is best.

It is of utmost urgency that we as Kenyans pull our country back from the precipice so that we can live out the words of our National Anthem:

O God of all creation, bless this our land and nation, Justice be our shield and defender

May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, Plenty be found within our borders

1. MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO

Your Excellency, the nation God appointed you to lead is not in a good state. We appeal to you to hear the cry of the people of Kenya, being guided by the wisdom of God found in the Bible in Proverbs 27: 23

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.

And in the Quran in Sura 4: 135

O Believers! Be upholders of justice, and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor; for Allah is more concerned with their wellbeing than you are.

We urge you to reverse Kenya’s downward spiral into the abyss by adopting policies and strategies that give Kenyans hope while addressing the economic challenge in both short and long terms. The suffering individual Kenyans are experiencing is pushing them into hopelessness that can easily inspire insurrection. Your Excellency, do not allow this country to go down this path.

We once again appeal that your administration repeals the Finance Act 2023 so as to review the heavy taxation burden it imposes on Kenyans. Maintaining the prevailing tax levels will give citizens a chance to recover their livelihoods and inspire hope for the future.

Further, Your Excellency, we urge that you open the way for dialogue and consultations as a way of addressing the longstanding and deep-seated grievances in the country so as to promote healing and reconciliation.

In the meantime, Your Excellency, it is of utmost importance that you instruct the Cabinet Secretaries and other government officials to promote rule of law and cease us of provocative language. The prevailing sense of impunity needs to be curtailed.

2. MESSAGE TO RT HON RAILA ODINGA

Rt Honorable Odinga, we recognize the cardinal position you hold in our nation as the leader of the opposition, which gives you an opportunity to contribute to the current and future of our nation. The role of the opposition as envisaged in the Constitution of Kenya is promoting democracy, good governance, and rule of law. By nature, the opposition is the government in waiting.

We now appeal to you to overhaul the tactical approach adopted by the Azimio la Umoja coalition recognizing that the current push for mass action is pushing the country into insurrection. The tension, violence and shedding of blood is making the situation worse for the people of Kenya, rather than solving the problems they are struggling with. Indeed the destruction of businesses as well as public and private properties is pushing the cost of living higher, not lower.

We urge you to embrace dialogue and consultations as a strategy for addressing grievances so as to promote reconciliation. The threat of collecting signatures so as to overthrow the government is dangerous for the country and should be withdrawn.

3. MESSAGE TO THE CITIZENS OF KENYA

Dear Brothers and Sisters, we take this moment to condole with all the families that have lost their loved ones in the demonstrations witnessed in the country. We are also praying for speedy recovery for all who have been injured and those who have lost livelihoods and properties. Let us declare that no more blood of Kenyans should be shed!

As Religious Leaders, we have listened to Kenyans and recognize that our nation is headed in the wrong direction. It is time for us to Take Our Country Back. We must not allow the selfish interests of political leaders to destroy our homeland and push us into destitution. Since we are all hurting from the high cost of living, our best approach is to embrace non-violence as we demand for better laws and policies. Let us all resist the incitement and provocation to engage in violence and destruction which will destroy who we are and what our nation stands for.

To get our country back, let us deliberately engage all public participation forums and opportunities, taking every chance to influence policy and decision making processes. Let us stand up and speak up on matters that affect our lives. We should not leave the destiny of our children, mothers and fathers in the hands of politicians alone. Let us instead adopt the mantra of “Nothing for us without us”.

4. EMBRACE DIALOGUE

Upon review of the current state of the nation, we are reminded of the instance recorded in 1 Kings 3: 26

The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

Your Excellency President Ruto and Rt Honorable Odinga, we appeal to you to stop cutting Kenya in two! Do not lead the country on a path of self destruction.

We urge you to lead your coalitions in engaging in bipartisan talks that are genuinely intended on finding a solution to the recruitment of Commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

On our part, we are putting in place measures to convene a National Dialogue Convention where Kenyans can address their challenges and recommend solutions.

CONCLUSION

We conclude by inspiring all of us to embrace the call we make to ourselves in our National Anthem:

Let all with one accord, in common bond united, Build this our nation together

And the glory of Kenya, the fruit of our labour, Fill every heart with thanksgiving

We urge all of us to commit ourselves to intensive prayer for lasting peace, healing and reconciliation in our nation.

May God bless Kenya now and always.

Signed on this 14^th day of July 2023 at Ufungamano House, Nairobi:

Most Rev Martin Kivuva Musonde

Chairman, KCCB

Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki

Chairman, NCCK

Al Hajj Hassan Ole Naado