- 1. Introduction
The Regional Conference of the NCCK Upper Eastern Region has met here at Gitooro Conference and Training Center, Meru, from 20th – 22nd May 2015 under the theme Shining the Light of Christ (Matthew 5: 14 – 16). The Regional Conference is the highest governance organ in the region and meets once every three years. More than one hundred delegates from Member Churches of NCCK participated in this Conference.
During this Conference we considered matters of concern to the counties under our region, which are Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo and Marsabit, and especially drew lessons from 1 Samuel 12: 2 – 4:
“As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right”. “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand”.
We learn from this scripture that the greatest poverty in our nation is that of effective and results oriented leaders like Samuel was. How many of our leaders today can stand and speak like Samuel spoke on that day? With this question in mind, we wish to share the following message with the people of Upper Eastern and the entire nation:
- 2. Give Kenyans the Fruits of Devolution
This Regional Conference commends Kenyans on successful adoption of devolution during the March 2013 elections, and recognize that it is a great boon for this nation. Kenyans are better off now than before. It is for this reason that we urge the governors and county governments in our region to facilitate Kenyans to receive and enjoy the fruits of devolution. We especially wish to point out the following:
(a) Facilitate Public Participation
While this Regional Conference celebrates the devolution of power and resources to the counties, we are saddened that corruption too got devolved. The corruption has largely been facilitated by lack of participation by the people in governance and decision making processes. We therefore call upon the Governors in our counties to create opportunities for genuine participation by the people, not merely public relations stunts aimed at fooling the law.
We have committed ourselves and call upon our brothers and sisters who are clergy to facilitate accountability forums where congregants and community members can discuss the performance of local projects and hold their leaders to account. We will also seek opportunities to get information from relevant offices on allocation and utilization of public funds.
(b) Deal With Corruption
Further, we call upon the Governors to partner with the President so as to intensify the war against corruption by ensuring that every person against whom there is evidence of corruption is severely punished. The cases we are witnessing of finger pointing and using the Judiciary to delay justice by dragging on cases for years must come to an end. May the warning of Ecclesiastes 8: 11 always be on our minds: “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong”.
(c) Create Opportunities for Economic Empowerment
This Regional Conference recognizes that the high level of poverty across the region has predisposed our people to manipulation and enticement by evil forces including alcohol and drug abuse, joining terrorist groups, and entrenching a culture of dependence on handouts from politicians. A serious Governor who wants to leave a legacy is one who will take the remaining part of their term to economically empower all the residents in their counties. Key options in this are provision of agricultural extension services for higher productivity, and embracing value addition so as to increase the returns the people get from their produce.
- 3. Address Terrorism Adequately
This Regional Conference expresses concern that there are political, community and religious leaders in this country who not only support but also finance terrorism. It is imperative that the President takes courageous and radical measures against these leaders so as to secure the nation. Further, we call upon the Governors to work closely with the national government to ensure that people can live in security and safety in all their localities.
On our part, we have committed to develop strategies to account for our youth, in addition to organizing and facilitating terror-attack related trainings in our churches to ensure disaster preparedness.
- 4. Reverse the Grabbing of Church Schools by the Government
This Regional Conference is greatly shocked at the blatant grabbing of church schools by the government through the Basic Education Act 2013. This grabbing is being accomplished through declaration of sponsored schools to be public institutions and issuing Title Deeds in the name of education boards. This is blatant robbery since the churches used their own land, often purchased from owners, to establish the schools. We therefore call upon the Members of Parliament from our region to take up the responsibility of initiating a review of the Basic Education Act and the attendant regulations so as to restore the schools to the rightful owners.
- 5. Protect Marriage and Family Life
This Regional Conference laments that the Attorney General issued regulations whose net effect is to make weddings a very expensive engagement. Church ministers and couples wishing to wed are going through a lot of suffering as they are required to travel to the Attorney General’s Office for licenses. Other than the money aspect, the regulations are creating conflicts between families since local cultures don’t allow unmarried men and women to be seen together in public, and yet now they are required to travel to Nairobi together.
We therefore urge the Attorney General to devolve the issuance of wedding licenses and submission of marriage certificates returns to the constituency level. We must make weddings in Kenya as accessible and affordable as possible so as to protect marriage.
On our part, we have committed to intensify our ministry engagements targeting men and children in order to strengthen families. We will initiate discipleship programmes aimed at empowering parents to fulfil Malachi 2:15 which says that God is seeking a godly offspring.
It is in this same vein that this Regional Conference rejects and condemns the ruling by the High Court that gay and lesbian organisations can be registered. This is a blanket legalization of unnatural, immoral and sinful behavior, and is an example of what we warned Kenyans would happen when we asked that the constitution be amended before being passed during the referendum in 2010. We in the meantime assure the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum and the Attorney General of our prayers and support as they appeal the ruling seeking to reverse it.
- 6. Conclusion
We conclude by noting that the lives of the people are to a large extent determined by the kind of leaders they have. It is important that every one who is a leader in this country be committed to providing leadership that has results. This is also our commitment, to be leaders who have results and who will leave a legacy at the end of our terms. May God enable every one of us to embrace in our lives the words of our National Anthem:
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavor
And our homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendor
Firm may we stand to defend
And finally, we join all other Kenyans in congratulating HE Peter Munya Gatirau on his election to as the Chairman of the Council of Governors, and assure him of our prayers as he serves his term.
Signed on this 22nd May 2015 at Gitooro Conference and Training Center, Meru.
Bishop Catherine Kagwiria Mutua
Chairperson, NCCK Upper Eastern Region
