Nurture Peace, Cohesion and Stability
Communique
PREAMBLE
The current and immediate former NCCK Regional Women Representatives, in partnership with REINVENT Programme, and Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA), have met here at Jumuia Guest House, Nakuru on 19th and 20th July 2021 to develop a strategy for women to contribute to peaceful, credible, free and fair 2022 General Elections.
During the forum, the women were guided by the scripture recorded in Esther 4: 13 – 14
… Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
Wishing to take our position and play our rightful role, we now share the following message with the women of Kenya and the entire nation:
- Women Inclusion in Governance
Women are the mothers of this nation. We therefore call upon all women to take up their motherly mantle and nurture and raise this country as they would their children.
Fellow women, we encourage you to recognise that you are leaders of this nation. Therefore, strive to assume decision making positions in political parties. Also advocate to have women aspirants nominated as candidates in the areas where your political parties are strong. Always remember that leadership positions will not be given to you on a silver platter.
We further call upon all women in our nation to refuse to be bought and used by politicians who do not have the interests of women at heart. Instead, let us support our fellow women who have political aspirations especially those who espouse Biblical and moral values for effective governance and representation.
- Peace and Sanity During the Elections
In Kenya’s history, women have borne the blunt of the violence in every election cycle. Many women experience sexual and gender based violence that traumatizes them for life. This cycle must be broken. Political campaigns should not be incitement grounds for violence and hate speech.
We call upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and security agencies to make adequate preparations to ensure there is peace and security for all during the coming electoral cycle.
We urge our fellow women not to entertain any aspirants who try to incite violence or hatred in our communities.
To pre-empt violence, we encourage all Kenyans to embrace and nurture a culture of dialogue so that differences in political opinions do not have to result in violence and grand standing. Let us promote adherence with the Constitution and the legal framework in place, and also honour electoral institutions by giving them the space to independently execute their mandates.
- Our Commitment
On our part, we have committed to mobilise the women within the NCCK family to:
- Fast and pray for the nation
- Use the church and community structures to deliver Civic and Voter Education
- Use every opportunity to preach on peace, tolerance and cohesion
- Engage the youth to build resilience against mobilization for violence by politicians
- Reach out to wives and mothers of aspirants to advocate for peace and sanity before, during and after the elections
- Mediate disputes before, during and after the General Elections as necessary
Women play a key role in nurturing the nation and the women of NCCK are committed to promoting justice, peace and stability in the country just as we are inspired by Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
May God grant Kenya peace now, and always.
Signed on this 20th day of July 2021 at Jumuia Guest House, Nakuru by the NCCK Regional Women Representatives
