Promote Justice and Mercy
Press Statement
Preamble
The officials and delegates from the NCCK member churches within Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira counties have held a Regional Electoral and Governance forum on 4th and 5th November 2025 here at Friends Church, Kisumu. The forum was inspired and challenged by the scripture recorded in Micah 6: 8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Appreciating that God expects each of us to promote justice and be merciful, we share the following message with the residents of the Nyanza Region and the entire nation at large.
1. Mourning the departed Rt Hon Raila Odinga
It is with deep sorrow that we in the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) join the family, friends and the entire nation in mourning the passing on of the Right Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga. The former Prime Minister was a towering political figure for 43 years, and we will always remember him as a versatile champion in the fight for democracy, justice and constitutionalism. We have shared and continue to share our condolences with the immediate family, assuring Mama Canon Ida and the children of our prayers. As the people of Kenya, let us support the emergence of other leaders who will carry on the fight for justice, good governance and human rights in our nation so that the fire Rt Hon Raila lit will not be quenched.
2. Landslides Disaster
It is with heartfelt sadness that we share our condolences with the families of all our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in landslides and other weather-related emergencies in Elgeyo Marakwet County. We commend all the first responders who have worked to save lives, even as we call upon county governments to focus on preparing adequate and effective disaster prevention and mitigation strategies and plans.
3. Register as Voters
Kenya is a constitutional democracy premised on universal suffrage. This means that every citizen has a right and a duty to participate in the election of leaders who then exercise authority on our behalf. We are therefore deeply perturbed that only 90,000 persons have registered as voters since the exercise was initiated one month ago.
We remind our people, and especially the youth, that failing to register as a voter is a cruel betrayal of the blood of the GenZs and other Kenyans who were killed during demonstrations in 2024 and 2025. All the rights that the GenZs and all other Kenyans in our history have fought for will be lost if the youth fail to participate in elections and political party activities.
Let us learn from the disciples of our Lord Jesus who voted to elect a replacement for Judas as we read in Acts 1: 26
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
4. Address Rising Poverty
The rapid and progressive rise of poverty in the counties in our region is a very scary reality. Citizens are worse off now than they were last year. This is being driven by loss of jobs as more industries close down and large, medium and small businesses run bankrupt. The result of the rising rate of unemployment is rampant insecurity coupled with violence and loss of lives. Families are being torn apart, and cases of suicide due to financial distress are on the rise.
We call upon the county and national governments to speedily reverse the insensitive and draconian laws and policies that are suffocating the business environment in Kenya. The primary role of the government is facilitating citizens to peacefully and safely engage in productive activities, in line with the example that was set by Solomon, the man who was king over the richest nation in human history, as we read in 1 Kings 4: 25
During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree.
5. End Early Campaigns
We have noted that across the country, politicians have embarked on intensive campaigns for positions in the 2027 General Elections which are still two years away. Worse still, the leaders are pouring out hate speech and other forms of incitement with impunity. We strongly rebuke this practice and call upon all political actors to cease provoking Kenyans to violence. Further, we demand that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Police Service take speedy and severe action against all individuals who engage in hate speech and other forms of incitement. We also call upon the Registrar of Political Parties to punish, and even deregister, any political party whose members engage in incitement and acts of violence. We must enforce discipline in the political field if our democracy is to survive. Let us take seriously the warning God has given in Proverbs 29: 21
If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end.
6. End the Lecturers’ Strike
We are overly shocked at the callous and casual manner in which the government is treating the education of our children. Allowing the strike by university lecturers to fester for so long is extremely irresponsible. We demand that the Cabinet Secretary for Education resigns if he is unable to safeguard the education of our children.
7. Protect Kenyans from Non Communicable Diseases
Across the country, Non Communicable Diseases account for 39% of deaths and 50% of hospitalizations. Almost every family in Kenya today has a member who is suffering from cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or another NCD, and the financial burden is extremely huge.
We are therefore very troubled that the national and county governments are seemingly not keen to address the factors that promote these diseases. Kenyans, and especially children, continue to be exposed to uncontrolled marketing of unhealthy ultra-processed foods. These are the foods that contain high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats.
To protect Kenyans from the Non Communicable Diseases, we appeal to the Ministry of Health to speedily complete the development and enforcement of a legal framework to regulate marketing of unhealthy foods. Further, the consultations among stakeholders on the Front of Pack Warning Labels should be completed without further delay.
Conclusion
We conclude by reminding ourselves and all Kenyans that justice is the basic foundation of the peace, cohesion and unity of our nation. Let us then do the right thing by promoting justice and compassion, just as our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 23: 23
But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have precited the latter, without neglecting the former.
We take this moment to wish all Kenya a blessed and Jesus-centered Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026 full of God’s presence.
Signed on this 5th day of November 2025 at Friends Church, Kisumu.
Rt Rev Titus Odoyo Okoda
Vice Chairman, NCCK Nyanza Region
