Arise, Awake, For Your Time Has Come
Pastoral Letter
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5: 6 – 7
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We bring you greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In every assessment of our nation, in every survey that has been independently conducted, Kenya has been framed as a nation in moral, governance and socio-economic crisis due to weak governance, corruption, impunity, politicized institutions, abuse of human rights, and premature 2027 electioneering.
After two days of prayerful reflections and soul searching, the Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya now shares this message.
1. Reject Organized Political Violence
Many Kenyans have suffered and died in the frenzy of politically organized violence that is progressively getting entrenched in public life and forums. It is very immoral, diabolical, insensitive and against God for political leaders to take advantage of the poverty and unemployment of young Kenyans by hiring them as goons. We condemn those who are engaging in this practice and strongly denounce the comradeship being displayed between the goons and security agents. We remind the Inspector General of Police that he has a constitutional duty of ensuring every person who pays or mobilizes others into violence are arrested and prosecuted. You will be held personally responsible for the misdeeds happening under your watch.
On their part, we appeal to our youth to take heed the warning God has given in Proverbs 1: 10 – 18
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If the say, Come along with us, let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul… we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder… These men lie in wait for their own blood, they waylay only themselves.
Refuse to be involve in goonism, desecration of places of worship exemplified by the recent attack on All Saints Cathedral, and other forms of violence, for you will pay with your own life.
2. Untenable Cost of Living
The reality is that life in Kenya is very expensive and very difficult. There are clear implications that this crippling poverty is politically driven for the sole purpose of enabling politicians to bribe the desperate voters to get elected. At the macro level, the economy is suffocating due to a toxic business environment and over taxation, which has led to unemployment and a sharp drop in citizens’ purchasing power.
We appeal to Kenyans to refuse to be politically swayed with the few breadcrumbs being thrown before them. Your vote is your birthright. Do not sell it for temporary tokens the way Esau did in the Bible.
3. Demand Accountability
Article 1 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya states that “The people may exercise their sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives”. On their part, all public officers are required by Article 73(2)(d) to exercise “accountability to the public for decisions and actions”.
We encourage all Kenyans, individually and through different groups, to demand transparency and accountability from all elected or appointed leaders. This is the only way we will deliver ourselves from the ogre of corruption that is gobbling up the soul and ethos of our nation. Let us all take keenly the inspiration God has given us in John 3: 21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
As a patriotic citizen, do all in your power to resist paying or accepting bribes, so that we build a nation founded on truth and enjoying one’s rightful wages.
4. Choose Leaders Wisely
Kenya is a constitutional democracy in which we all participate in choosing our leaders through elections. We remind our fellow citizens that you do not choose a leader when you get to the ballot box; rather, you choose a leader months or years earlier by reviewing their track record in serving the nation. This is the standard of decision making that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us in Matthew 7: 16 – 17
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but every bad tree bears bad fruit.
This is your time as a citizen to inspect the fruits of the current and aspirant leaders, and determine in your heart whether that is the fruit you want to be eating in future. Your vote matters.
5. Prepare For Free, Fair, Credible and Peaceful Elections
We commend the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for releasing the 2027 elections calendar yesterday. This is a good milestone. We nonetheless remind the Commission that in all recent polls and surveys in Kenya, only 26% are confident that you can deliver free, fair and credible elections. Indeed 60% cited lack of transparency within the Commission. As the only constitutional managers of elections in Kenya, you hold a noble and sacred duty. Will you rise up to the occasion, or will you choose to go down in history as a group that betrayed the millions of Kenyans to cheat them out of their birthright? Always keep in mind what happened to Queen Jezebel when she helped her husband to steal the vineyard of Naboth.
6. Demand Meaningful Service Delivery
Over the decades, service delivery in Kenya has been characterized by mediocrity, corruption and utter disdain of the citizens. Roads in many parts of Kenya exist only on paper despite allocation of billions of shillings for their construction or maintenance; drainage and sewerage systems are so pathetic that every little shower results in flooding; and public facilities such as markets and stadia are run down across the country. Despite the consistent claims of its efficacy, the Social Health Authority / Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA / SHIF) is a dismal failure, leaving millions of Kenyans suffering as they pay out of their pockets for healthcare. It is time for Kenyans to wake and say no to unsatisfactory services. Rise up and stand for what is right for you and the society, just as we are inspired in Proverbs 31: 8 – 9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
As a citizen, do not remain silent in the face of injustices. Injustice to one Kenyan is injustice to all Kenyans.
7. Youth Arise, It is Your Time
In human history, every generation faces a challenge that they have to overcome for their society to progress. We therefore commend and embrace the young people, referred to as the GenZ, for rising up to serve their generation. Go ahead and create for yourselves the Kenya you want to live in, being assured that the church stands with you.
We strongly condemn the inhumane trend where the youth are being met with death and violence every time they express their minds and hearts. It is our strong prayer and appeal that today as the 2nd anniversary of the June 2024 demonstrations is marked, no more Kenyans will be killed or maimed by security agents or by goons. This was our appeal last Sunday as we held the Memorial Service for the 60 souls that departed. As a nation, let us listen and take what the youth are saying seriously without killing them.
In the meantime, we appeal to all the young people to register as voters, to vie as candidates, and to actively engage in political parties, community, churches and other platforms as responsible citizens.
8. Cry for the Children
In the recent days, Kenyans have witnessed heartbreaking cases of children being stolen and killed, some found with body parts missing. Who are the people killing the children? Are they engaging in human sacrifices? Is this the same spirit that is driving the wave of murderous arson in schools? We appeal to all Kenyans to be on keen watch out and report any persons they know to be involved in the kidnap and murder of children. On their part, we call upon the security agencies to investigate and prosecute all those suspected of these crimes.
9. Protect the Pulpit
During this Executive Committee meeting, we have launched the report titled “Study on the Influence of Money and Religion on Democratic Outcomes in Kenya”. The study was conducted by the NCCK, and in part revealed that money has made our politics to decay. In simple words, our politics have reached crisis levels. We encourage all Kenyans to read the report and take appropriate remedial measures.
On our part, we have revised the Guidelines for Ministering to Political Actors, specifying the following:
One, political actors are welcome in places of worship as worshipers, not as campaigners
Two, worship places will remain sacred and respected
Three, Clergy will maintain political non-partisanship and independence
Four, religious freedom shall not be compromised with political donations
Five, Churches will avoid politicized fundraisings
Six, Church leaders will engage political actors on issues, not partisan politics
Seven, Churches will promote meaningful civic education
Eight, Church spaces will reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and youth manipulation
Nine, Churches will guard against misinformation and misuse of digital platforms
Ten, Compliance will be upheld through church accountability mechanisms
Conclusion
We conclude by reminding us all that we have a responsibility to actively build a just, resilient, sustainable and peaceful society. This is the message God has given us in Jeremiah 29: 7
Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Let us all pray and work for the betterment of our nation.
We also take this moment to condole with all families that have lost loved ones in the senseless violence targeting the GenZs and in the unfortunate fire at Utumishi Academy. We are praying for you for peace and consolation, even as we pray for those who were injured for quick recovery.
May God bless you now and always.
Signed on this 25th day of June 2026 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
Rev Dr Elias Otieno Agola
Chairman
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
