Open Your Eyes and See Where Kenya is Heading
Press Statement
Preamble
Delegates from the NCCK member churches in Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Laikipa and Nyandarua, which constitute the Central Region, have held a two-day meeting at Caritas Development Center, Nyeri, for prayer and reflection on the state of our nation. During the forum, the delegates took time to pray for the nation and our communities, and took time to consider the meaning of the scripture recorded in Proverbs 27: 23 – 24
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
It is in this context that we appeal to all Kenyans to listen to this message.
1. Kenya Is Perishing
Dear Brothers and Sisters, our nation is seriously sick, and if we do not urgently find a remedy, we will all perish. We say this having considered the following factors:
One, Kenyans are truly sad, with 57% of residents in our counties indicating they are generally unhappy and a further 30% indicating they are depressed. The result is the ever rising cases of suicide and uncontrolled abuse of alcohol and drugs, leading to breakdown of social structures and families. Do the political leaders at the national and county levels realize that untreated mental illness at a national scale is catastrophic?
Two, Kenyans are suffering serious impoverishment and economic hardships, with 81% in our counties indicate that they are poorer today than they were one year ago. Where is the economic development the government keeps boasting about? What solutions have the leaders in opposition parties offered to relief the suffering of the people? Do our leaders realize that the only reason inflation is going down is because Kenyans don’t have money to buy anything?
Three, the laws and policies passed by Parliament, coupled with unmitigated corruption, has created a toxic business environment that has resulted in more than 10 multinational companies relocating to other countries. The resultant unemployment is cascading down to the village level as kiosks and mama mbogas go out of business since the expendable income of residents has hit rock bottom.
Four, taxation is very high, with the government taking more than 56% of an individual’s income through direct and indirect taxes. Why have our Members of Parliament passed laws to allow all these taxes and levies?
Five, the Kenyan economy is suffocating under national debt that is reported to be KShs 12.6 trillion, with a debt to GDP ratio of 67.3%. It is so painful to remember that this debt has been taken illegally, with strong likelihood that the money never even reached Kenya before it was stolen, noting that Parliament removed the requirement that all funds are passed through the consolidated fund. We hold all the MPs, whether in government or opposition, personally responsible for overtaxing Kenyans to pay non-existent debts.
Six, we have a government so cruel that instead protecting workers and safeguarding the vulnerable, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is wholly focused on trafficking Kenyans to the Middle East as menial workers. Is it not a new phase of slave trade when Kenyans are sent to foreign countries to work as housemaids? Why is Parliament allowing government officials and their families who benefit from trafficking Kenyans to get away with this conflict of interest?
Seven, Kenya’s future survival as a nation is solely threatened by the persistent killing of democracy. For sure, democracy will not survive when politicians behave as if their only duty is winning the next election while they completely ignore their constitutional duties. To make matters worse, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not given Kenyans any assurance that they are capable of organizing free, fair and credible elections. Do political leaders realize that they are pushing Kenyans into adopting non-constitutional methods of bringing about regime change?
Eight, more and more complicity by national and country governments is exposing Kenyans to unhealthy and toxic foods, resulting in a sharp rise in number of people diagnosed with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Government statistics indicate that 55% of hospitalizations and 39% of deaths are as a result of NCDs, which include cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart ailments and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Change Direction or Perish
The Bible in Proverbs 27: 12 observes that “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it”. We appeal to all Kenyans to open eyes and see the danger ahead so that we change direction to rescue our nation from a certain deathbed.
We especially remind all citizens that as we have witnessed over the last six decades, there are no politicians thinking about the welfare of the nation despite the promises they make in rallies and policies. Kenyans are literally on their own. We must arise and build the Kenya we want to live in.
Towards this, we recommend the following actions and interventions:
a) 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?
b) 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.
c) 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 non partisan, 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.
d) Register as Voters
Over the last two years, the young people of Kenya, who refer to themselves as the GenZs, have spoken, and their message has been heard. We now appeal to all the young people to register as voters so that they can effectively participate in electoral processes as voters and as candidates. We have indeed noted in a survey of our counties, if elections were held today, 83% would not re-elect their Member of County Assembly; 72% would not re-elect their Member of National Assembly; 78% would not re-elect their Women Representative; 64% would not re-elect their Senator; 72% would not re-elect their Governor; and 89% would not re-elect the President. Let us all register as voters and participate in elections so that we can sustain our democracy by making informed choices.
e) Reverse Impoverishment of Kenyans
The poverty in Kenya is not sustainable, and action must be taken urgently. We especially demand for:
One, reduction of taxation to give Kenyans a break and to increase the expendable income of households
Two, genuinely punish corruption to cure this disease that is certainly killing Kenya
Three, withdraw all the laws that have been enacted that are strangling the business environment so that Kenyans can have opportunities to earn dignified livelihoods
We remind the Members of Parliament, both in National Assembly and Senate, that the blame for destruction of Kenya through bad laws lies squarely on their shoulders. You can redeem yourselves or be sure that your punishment will catch up with you soon.
f) Hold Elected and Appointed Leaders Accountable
The Constitution of Kenya states clearly that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. Every citizen has a right to hold elected and appointed leaders to account and demand that they deliver on their mandates. As the people of Kenya, let us arise and open our eyes to realize that political leaders are our servants, not our masters. Let us learn from the GenZs who have refused to be intimidated and are standing up for justice and constitutionalism and accountable governance.
Indeed, we welcome the GenZs to come and occupy the churches under the NCCK umbrella so that we can together redeem our nation, knowing that the Bible expects the young and the old to work shoulder to shoulder, as we read in 1 John 2: 4
I write to you fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you and you have overcome the evil one.
g) Address Non Communicable Diseases
To address the increasing burden of Non Communicable Diseases, we demand that the Ministry of Health finalizes the development and implements a framework for regulation of marketing of foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats. Further, producers of such foods must be required to include Front of Pack Warning Labels so that buyers are aware of what they are purchasing.
Further to this, we appeal to all counsellors and psychologists who are willing to volunteer in our churches so that we provide free counseling and psychosocial services to the people to address the current mental health challenges.
Conclusion
We conclude by remembering the warning Jesus gave in Luke 6: 39
He also told them this parable: Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?
As Kenyans, let us open our eyes and see that we are headed on a path of destruction, and like the prudent, let us change direction. Let us learn from the wisdom of Proverbs 27: 25 – 26
When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
Brothers and Sisters, let us learn the wisdom of change that comes at the opportune moment.
We wish you all a Jesus-centered Christmas and a blessed and God-filled New Year 2026.
Signed on this 26th day of November 2025 at Caritas Development Center, Nyeri.
Bishop Stephen Njogu
Vice Chair, NCCK Central Region
