Press Statement Issued in Machakos Town by Ukambani Church Leaders
March 17, 2017
Africa Brotherhood Church Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki and also NCCK Vice Chair is flanked by other church leaders during a press conference in Machakos town.
UKAMBANI CHAMPIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT (UCSD)
The Ukambani Bishops and church leaders meeting at St. Joseph’s Pastoral Centre Machakos
Preamble
In 2016 church leaders from 19 different denominations met and did a situational analysis of the Kamba community. They noted that the community among other things is God fearing, peaceful, trustworthy, and accommodative and have a rich history and resources. They also noted that after over 50 years of independence the community still lags behind in development in many aspects. These church leaders formed what is now going by the name Ukambani Champions for Sustainable Holistic Development forum under the chairmanship of Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki of ABC. We have organized several forums and consultative meetings to engage with the Ukambani Governors, Members of Parliament, MCAs, Political Party leaders, members of the Civil Society, the Muslim leaders, business people, professionals and other interested parties including the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Catholic Church (KCCB) and Evangelical churches (EAK). We strongly support devolution and believe that the Kamba can harness their resources and strengths to achieve most of their aspirations whether social or economic
Appreciation
We thank our member churches and the public for being attentive to the issues of leadership integrity and good governance, which are the backbone of development for any region. We appreciate the efforts made by both the National and County governments to make devolution work. The positive results in infrastructure, health care services, and access to water, electricity, security and cleaning up most of the towns are good beginnings of what is expected. The non-state actors and community members have also done a good job in enhancing development. There is, however a greater need to consolidate these efforts to facilitate a process of building cohesion and rallying people around a holistic development plan towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2017 General Elections
The mood of the Nation is being disturbed by reckless talk especially by the political leaders. From the voter registration mobilization to the perceived aggressive campaign efforts, there has been misguided schemes by some leaders claiming victories already when it is too early and this has raised tension among the electorate. The church leaders see as intimidation and psychological games on victories and are dangerous for the Nation. Each leader must sell their policies and ideas without belittling other leaders or claiming victories in advance. The voters shall decide the victories at the ballot.
Every patriotic Kenyan must exercise restraint and respect. The electorate must promote these same values just like our leaders. Citizens that boo and shout back at leaders of different political opinions or parties court trouble and show disrespect to leadership and divergent opinion. The general elections take just a short period that is less than a week and we must not destroy our socio-economic systems or demolish our livelihoods for a week’s exercise. After elections, we all have a life to return to irrespective of who win or lose in this elections contest.
The issue of the IEBC conducting party primaries for political parties is causing anxiety and portraying a picture of favouritism. This needs to be carefully clarified to the public on the criteria used so that it does not elicit excuses for claims of election rigging schemes and misconduct.
Ukambani Region
It must be understood that the church has a duty and an oversight role in ensuring the correct implementation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Both the National and County governments must comply with the Chapter eleven Article 174 (1) (a – i) in the Constitution. The church has the duty to see to it that the constitutional objectives of devolution are adhered to. Some of these objectives are promotion of democratic and accountable exercise of power, fostering of National unity by recognising diversity, giving powers of self-governance to the people and enhancing public participation.
Every leader in Kenya and especially in this region, must know that Ukambani is increasingly becoming cosmopolitan with people from all tribes and exercise restraint in their utterances. There must be tolerance and respect for others’ views and opinions. Ukambani has been a haven of peace and it must remain thus but this does not mean that their peace and tolerance is taken advantage of by bad politics.
The church recognizes the need for credible and integral leaders for us to achieve the envisioned development. We will pick up our role in educating people in the region characteristics of good leaders and the importance of voting them in. This we will do in relation to constitutional provisions and respect for democratic space. We will encourage people to vote for visionary leaders who have a clearly set out agenda for them. We appreciate the IEBC for the good work they did during the Mass Voter Registration although we did not meet the target. We promise to educate people the need to turn out in large numbers and vote in August. It is our prayer that the elections will be free, fair, peaceful and credible.
Insecurity
The insecurity and murders of leaders as we have recently seen in Baringo is most uncalled for. Cases of killings have also been witnessed in various places in the country including Ukasi and Malalani locations in Kitui County, Donyo Sabuk where a young man is alleged to have been assaulted to death by Community policing. There was retaliation by members of the community resulting to loss of property and this can trigger ethnic animosity. The National government should also move in urgently to address the sand harvesting conflicts in Kasikeu so that more lives and property are not lost. We urge the security agencies and systems to be on top gear and especially as we prepare for the general elections. The church is unhappy with a reactionary tendencies pattern taking root instead of proactive systems of prevention rather than acting fast after harm has already been done. The Kamba community are yet to get the results of the investigations of the alleged inciting utterances against the Kambas in Garissa.
The current zoning of the nation into Jubilee or NASA regions is balkanizing the nation and causing unnecessary anxiety. Leaders should restrain from exaggerating divisions. The church is watching you and we are requesting every leader to carefully choose and use utterances of uniting Kenyans for peaceful co-existence and tolerance. Political maturity demonstrates civility and open-mindedness on other people’s ideas. Leaders must show a role model of promotion of peace instead of animosities and insults.
Thank you
Signed on 24th February 2017 by:
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The Most Rev. Dr. Timothy N. Ndambuki
Ukambani Champions for Sustainable Holistic Development Chairman
NCCK National vice Chair
