UPHOLD HUMAN DIGNITY
Press Statement
Preamble
Delegates from the NCCK member churches in Nairobi, Kiambu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera which constitute the Nairobi Region, have held a two-day meeting at YMCA Central Conference Hall, Nairobi, for prayer and reflection on the state of our nation under the theme ‘Strengthening Governance, Accountability, and Trust for credible elections.’ The delegates wish to address the critical state of our nation. As NCCK, we are committed to justice and human dignity, we are deeply concerned that the democratic ideals envisioned in our Constitution are being overshadowed by a transactional political culture that prioritizes elite interests over the welfare of the wananchi.
It is in this context that we appeal to all Kenyans to listen to this message.
- End Goonism
The NCCK expresses its profound indignation at the entrenchment of ‘goonism’ as a normalized feature of Kenya’s political infrastructure. Our findings reveal a ‘goon economy’ that functions as a tragic employment of last resort for our desperate youth. It is a heartbreaking reality that in a country where nearly 67% of young people are without meaningful work, the political elite have found a way to commodify their desperation.
Paying a young Kenyan as little as 200 to 500 shillings to disrupt a meeting or intimidate a fellow citizen is not just a security issue; it is a grave violation of human dignity. We condemn this weaponization of poverty, which converts our children into disposable infantry for the political elite. This culture of ‘hired goons’ thrives on a failed social contract and a deeply entrenched culture of impunity that must be dismantled if we are to remain a just and peaceful nation.
We call on the Registrar of Political Parties to take immediate action, including the deregistration of any party found to be recruiting, funding, or deploying organized youth groups for violence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) must prioritize the investigation and prosecution of the ‘sponsors’ of violence, the political leaders who bankroll these groups—to break the cycle of impunity
- Punish Hate Speech and Incitement
The Bible specifically condemns hate speech and incitement as we read in Proverbs 6: 19. 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. If you are too intimidated to do your work, then it is high time you resign and let someone else take the mandate
- Address Flooding in Nairobi
Since early March 2026, Nairobi has become the epicentre of a recurring tragedy. Intense rainfall has claimed at least 66 lives in the capital alone, with victims dying from drowning or electrocution as streets were transformed into rivers. The current suffering of Nairobi’s citizens is a grave violation of human dignity and a direct consequence of systemic urban planning failures. It is unacceptable that critical drainage infrastructure often ‘exists only on paper,’ while the lives of the vulnerable are treated as expendable. We observe a distressing pattern where development projects are wielded as campaign tools rather than essential services. This political opportunism results in ‘stale projects’ and the diversion of public resources to recoup campaign investments, leaving our city’s drainage systems to choke on neglect.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya stands in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods. We refuse to accept that any Kenyan should be affected by flooding ‘year after year’ due to preventable institutional lethargy.
We call for an immediate, transparent overhaul of Nairobi’s drainage systems, moving beyond ‘temporary action plans’ to permanent, engineered solutions that respect riparian boundaries and natural water paths.
- Address Healthcare Challenges (SHA)
The transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA) is marred by the same ‘accountability deficit’ identified in our earlier studies. We note with significant concern the Auditor General’s findings regarding the lack of state ownership over the multi-billion shilling digitization system, which has created fertile ground for ‘financial leakages.’ With reports indicating a loss of Kshs 11 billion to fraudulent claims in just six months, public resources are being siphoned while our hospitals remain under-equipped
This mismanagement has a direct, fatal cost: maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with up to 6,000 Kenyan women dying annually from preventable complications. In underserved areas, the promise of ‘Universal Health Coverage’ remains a mirage as facilities lack essential drugs and staff. We reiterate that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution, not a commodity to be traded for political loyalty or sacrificed at the altar of institutional graft. The ‘local mwananchi’ cannot continue to pay the price for a system that prioritizes opaque contracts over life-saving care.
- Address the High cost of Living
The economic reality is indeed dire. While official inflation rates often fluctuate, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) consistently highlights that food and fuel remain the primary drivers of the high cost of living. Currently, millions of Kenyans face food insecurity, with the price of a standard food basket remaining well above the reach of those earning the minimum wage or less.
The NCCK notes with grave concern that unchecked inflation is systematically eroding the purchasing power and human dignity of ordinary Kenyans. We are witnessing a crisis where soaring fuel prices have triggered a cascading increase in the cost of food, transport, and essentials.
For millions of our brothers and sisters, the struggle is no longer about comfort, but survival. It is a moral indictment of our nation that over 30% of our population survives on less than KSh 1,300 per month, while the cost of maize flour, cooking oil, and vegetables continues to rise beyond reach.
We call on the government to review the heavy taxation on petroleum products, which remains the single largest contributor to the rising cost of production and transport.
We demand that the government curb wasteful expenditure and redirect resources toward agricultural subsidies that will lower the price of food at the source.
The government must provide a clear roadmap on how debt servicing is being balanced against the immediate need to provide a cushion for citizens facing extreme poverty.
- A Message to the IEBC
The NCCK insists on a transparent, merit-based operation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to safeguard our democracy against the threat of ‘state capture.’ While we acknowledge the appointment of the new chairperson and commissioners, we note that institutional trust remains fragile. The 2027 General Election must not be another ‘inconclusive’ cycle characterized by rigging fears and institutional compromise.
We demand the immediate reversal of all involuntary voter transfers, and public accounting of how the biometric database was compromised.
- End Early Campaigns
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 during the by-elections?
- Protect the Pulpit
On our part, we commit to effect the guidelines issued by the NCCK Executive Committee on ministering to politicians. Under these guidelines,
One, all politicians who attend worship services will be treated the same as all other worshippers
Two, all monetary and material contributions shall be treated as offerings and will not be announced or given with ceremony
Three, we will not allow politicians to address congregants inside the church, and will instead advice them to speak to the people outside the church building after the service
Four, we will remain objective and nonpartisan, and will not endorse or oppose any political party or leader. We will remain aligned to and stand for peace and justice while holding political leaders accountable for their constitutional mandates.
The NCCK remains an unwavering advocate for a Kenya where justice flows like water. We will continue to provide safe spaces for dialogue and hold the prophetic mirror to our leaders until the dignity of every Kenyan is secured.
Signed on this 6th day of May 2026 at YMCA Central Conference Hall, Nairobi
Rev. Dr. Alphonse Kanga
Chairman, NCCK Nairobi Region
