Evangelical church leaders call for national convention to address Kenya's problems
Evangelical Alliance of Kenya Chairman Bishop Philip Kitoto (centre) with Bishop Geoffrey Njuguna (left) and Bishop Michael Adipo at a past event.
What you need to know:
- The Evangelicals highlighted concerns in healthcare, education, the economy and other sectors.
- On education, they decried underfunding of junior secondary schools and the high cost of university education.
- They have urged President Ruto to gazette a two or three-day national convention led by eminent Kenyans to dialogue and re-set the nation.
The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has urged the government to convene a three-day national convention to address critical issues affecting the country.
The EAK highlighted concerns in healthcare, education, the economy, governance, human rights, and national cohesion. They criticised delays in healthcare payments under NHIF, the rushed implementation of reforms, and corruption in procurement.
On education, they decried underfunding of junior secondary schools and the high cost of university education, which has forced students to drop out.
“We believe that time has come for all Kenyans of goodwill to come together to defend our glorious nation from the many attacks and pressures that we are faced with. This is our country, and we must reason together to salvage it,” the alliance said in a statement read by Bishop Philip Kitoto.
They also condemned tax and fiscal measures that have exacerbated economic hardship and called for a forensic audit of Kenya’s debt, while also calling for stronger action against corruption and criticising the ethnicisation of public service appointments, extrajudicial killings, and violations of constitutional rights.
To address these challenges, the EAK has proposed a two or three-day convention led by eminent Kenyans, emphasising unity and dialogue to reset the nation on a firm foundation.
“We are calling on the President to gazette the National Restoration Convention to allow the country to converge, converse and reset the country and nation on a firm value-based foundation,” said Bishop Kitoto.
While acknowledging strides made in reducing inflation, food prices and unemployment, the Evangelical leaders stressed the need for consensus to safeguard Kenya’s future.
Healthcare, high profile cases and abductions
The church leaders highlighted systemic challenges in healthcare, including delays in National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) payments, inadequate stakeholder involvement in policy transitions and alleged corruption in procurement systems.
The Evangelicals expressed frustration over lack of accountability in high-profile cases.
“We are demanding clarity on contentious contracts and stronger oversight mechanisms to curb wastage and promote transparency,” said Bishop Kitoto.
They also expressed alarm at the erosion of constitutional rights, citing extrajudicial killings, abductions, and defiance of court orders.
"The rights to assemble, demonstrate, and petition are enshrined in our Constitution and must be upheld."
