Religious Leaders in Kenya Urge Government to Radically Redeem Country Shown to be “headed in wrong direction”

They particularly faulted the government for the failure to constitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya’s electoral body.

Calling for swift action to address the concern, the religious leaders warned that the lack of leadership in critical counties and constituencies due to the absence of IEBC infringes on constitutional rights.

“The residents of counties without Deputy Governors, constituencies without Members of National Assembly, and wards without Members of County Assemblies cannot elect their representatives,” they said.

They urged the government to swiftly constitute the IEBC Commissioners Selection Panel and to facilitate the panel’s mandate without delay, calling on the Speaker of the country’s National Assembly to appoint a representative from the Parliamentary Service Commission.

In the statement, the religious leaders decry what they term as the growing trend of “ethnic mobilization” in anticipation of the 2027 elections. Referring to similar actions that led to the 2007 post-election violence, they pose “Why is the government setting up Kenyans for violence?”

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The religious leaders also condemned rampant corruption at all levels of government, describing graft as “killing the soul of the nation.” They criticized the Parliament, accusing it of betraying the people by prioritizing the interests of the Executive over those of the citizens.

They also expressed frustration with the rushed transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), calling it an “opaque and forced” change that they said had caused unnecessary suffering. “Why must Kenyans pay billions to brokers who add no value to their healthcare?” they posed.

They called for a seamless transition in the helath insurance scheme, one they said ensures fairness and justice for Kenyans, many of whom they say have suffered under the new healthcare model.

The religious leaders further highlighted the new controversial university funding model which they said has prevented many students from resuming their studies among the concerns that the government needs to address.

“What was so wrong with the previous model that it had to be changed?” the leaders questioned, calling for a suspension of the new system.

They added, “We demand that the new university funding model be suspended to allow for further consultations and to ensure justice and fairness to all students.”

In the statement that the auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, NCCK Chairman, Rev.Elias Agola, and SUPKEM Deputy Chairman, Sh Muhdhar A. Ahmed, signed, the religious leaders also demanded that the government immediately cancel controversial contracts awarded to companies linked to Adani groups. Adani has been seeking to expand its influence in Kenya’s sectors such as healthcare, electricity, and the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The religious leaders criticized these companies, asserting they were not true investors but fronts for local officials.

They said, “We remind government officials that across the world, countries that engaged Adani-related companies, which include India, Australia, and Bangladesh, are today crying and seeking to cancel the same.”

They further urged Parliament to withdraw all anti-people bills, including the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2024, which seeks to extend the term of elected leaders from five to seven years.

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They criticized the lawmakers for prioritizing personal interests over the people's needs. “Parliamentarians should serve Kenyans or resign to serve their other interests,” the leaders said in their October 16 statement.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.