Getting down to business as a section of delegates attending the General Assembly prepare to start the meeting
The 63rd National Council of Churches of Kenya General Assembly has this morning kicked off in earnest, with over 250 delegates from across the Council member churches and organizations converging in Kanamai, Kilifi county ahead of its official opening by the Deputy President Hon. William Ruto later today.
The Deputy President is expected to deliver the key-note address that will form part of the assembly’s deliberations.
The General Assembly is the most ecumenical and high powered gathering in the Council’s life. It is charged with the responsibility of being the highest policy organ of NCCK.
Among the key figures attending the meeting are the NCCK Trustees, Rev. Canon Dr. Rosemary Mbogo who was the first woman to be elected to the chair the Council.
Top on the agenda of the 3-day event, will be the election of the new Council Officials to replace Rev. Canon Dr. Mbogo and her Vice Chair Archbishop Dr. Timothy Ndambuki. The two are set to retire after serving their two constitutional terms of three years each.
The enthusiastic delegates arrived at the venue yesterday, amid high expectations of a fruitful meeting. Earlier NCCK General Secretary Reverend Canon Peter Karanja expressed gratitude for the Staff Planning Committee saying that he looked forward to a fruitful event. “The expectation is quite high, that’s why delegates just pick their bags and come. We hope there will be enough space to sleep and enough utility. I am counting on all of you to make them comfortable,” said Canon Karanja when he addressed the committee, alongside his deputy Rev. Dr. Nelson Makanda.
He added: “When you serve the delegates well they will go away happy. There are many fringe benefits when we do that. Remember also to enjoy yourselves. I hope at the end we will part ourselves on the back and say we done!”
On her part the committee’s chair Mrs. Grace Muthungu who is also the Senior Programmes Officer lauded her team for working tirelessly to make the event a success. Muthungu added, “We have made progress and thank God for the provision and staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure the General Assembly happens in-spite of their many other responsibilities.”
Other members of the Staff Planning Committee include Ms Susie Ibutu (NCCK Programmes Director), Mrs Phylis Kiarie (Regional Coordinator, Nairobi) Alice Mutile (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer), Joshua Omondi (ICT) among others.
The General Assembly comes hot on the heels of the NCCK’s Regional Conferences during which a new leadership was installed in all the 9 Council regions across the country.
The event will officially end on Thursday with a communique to the nation.
