Honor The Constitution of Kenya – Programme Commitee Press Statement
March 23, 2023
Honor The Constitution of Kenya
Press Statement
1 Kings 12: 4
Your father put a heavy yoke on us but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.
Preamble
The Programmes Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has held a meeting here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, to reflect on the state of the nation in the context of the rising tensions due to politically instigated disillusionment.
The meeting took note that the desire of Kenyans to have a healthy environment to “lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands”, as we are inspired in 1 Thessalonians 4: 11, is once again being thwarted by never ending political contests. This must be brought to an end, towards which we share the following message.
1. Honor the Constitution of Kenya 2010
Article 1 (1) of the Constitution that we as Kenyans gave ourselves in 2010 states as follows:
All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution.
Further, the Constitution states in Article 2 (1)
This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic and binds all persons and all State organs at both levels of government.
We remind all Kenyans that each of us is obligated to adhere to the Constitution in all activities and engagements, for without this the nation will collapse. We are therefore deeply concerned that the crisis we are finding ourselves in as a nation is a result of failure to honor the Constitution. To remedy this dangerous state we are in, we ask as follows:
2. Message to His Excellency the President
Your Excellency President Ruto, we commend you for the commitment you made to defend and apply the Constitution of Kenya in all your work when you assumed office six months ago. At the time, and on different occasions thereafter, you recognized the need for a strong opposition in the country to hold the government in check.
It is in this context, and in seeking to address the simmering conflict in the country, that we request you to lead the government in adhering to the Constitution and Laws of Kenya in all operations, policies and pronouncements. As such, the government should provide space and freedom for Kenyans to peacefully disagree with and even oppose the government. The provisions in the law for security agencies to provide security and directional guidelines for demonstrators should be adhered to. The use of lethal equipment resulting in deaths of demonstrators must be avoided and any persons who breach this should be held to account.
Secondly, Your Excellency, we urge you to embrace dialogue and promotion of public participation to ensure all Kenyans contribute to the betterment of the nation. As the symbol of national unity, we urge you to open doors for dialogue with the opposition and other stakeholders so as to end the current crisis. We in the church are available to mediate should that be required.
Thirdly, Your Excellency, we appeal that you rivet the attention of the nation on the crippling drought and famine that continue to ravage the country, which has increased the cost of living radically. Kenyans are suffering, and their suffering is worsened by a government that is focused on politicking rather than providing solutions.
Fourthly, Your Excellency, we encourage the government and state agencies to assure and protect freedom of media. The assertion that live coverage of demonstrations and other actions by Kenyans are incitement is misplaced and any notices to that effect should be withdrawn.
And lastly, Your Excellency, we strongly recommend that the government facilitates a platform for a participatory and consultative to identify and address the root causes of the endemic insecurity in the North Rift. Military action alone will not solve the problem.
3. Message to Rt Hon Raila Odinga
As the leader of opposition in Kenya, we urge you, Rt Hon Odinga, to ensure that all the actions and pronouncements are in accordance with the Constitution. Every Kenyan has a right to conscience and political opinion, and there are provisions in the Constitution to guide the exercise of these rights. As a noble leader of this nation, we appeal to you to ensure that all you lead operate within the confines of the Constitution.
In this regard, we urge that you promote recognition and adherence to the Constitution and Laws of Kenya. It is not fitting for a leader to be seen to encourage lawlessness, or to promise that constitutionally established offices can be abolished on the streets.
We reiterate the call by religious leaders that you lead the Azimio La Umoja coalition in identifying and recommending solutions to the problems facing Kenyans to avoid creating the perception that the party promotes lawlessness.
Rather than compounding the problems of Kenyans by calling for demonstrations, we recommend that you to embrace dialogue with clear achievables and targets so as to secure peace and national cohesion. Let us exhaust the channels provided for in the Constitution and Laws of Kenya before resorting to mass action.
4. Message to All Kenyans
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we commend you for maintaining peace and cohesion in the country. We appeal to all of us to resist all provocations and incitements to engage in violence or other acts of lawlessness. We have too many problems as we individually seek to care for our families, so let us search for and follow leaders who offer solutions, not those who perpetually focus on expounding problems and passing blame. In addition, let us take opportunity to hold our leaders accountable so as to forestall corruption and ensure elected leaders deliver on their mandates with justice and equity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we remember the word of God in Micah 6: 8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Let us as Kenyans embrace this call of God and do what our maker asks of us.
Signed on this 23rd day of March 2023 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru
Bishop Joseph Ntombura
Chairman
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
