1. Preamble
The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has met here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, for the last two days to transact formal business and discuss matters of national concern. We considered the word of God recorded in Psalms 7: 9 which reads: "O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure". We now wish to share the following message:
2. Condolences Following Mandera Bus Attack
This Executive Committee wishes to restate the condolence message we shared with the families and friends of all our brothers and sisters who were barbarically murdered near Mandera last Saturday. We are mourning with you, and we urge you to wait upon God who has promised to ultimately promised to dispense justice.
3. Litany of Attacks Against Christians
The NCCK notes that since the year 2005, Christians and churches in Kenya have been subjected to incessant verbal attacks by Muslim preachers in mosques and open air preachings across the country. We further note that Muslim leaders have never expressly condemned these attacks or taken time to explain whether these attacks were the official Muslim agenda in Kenya. Notably, these verbal attacks have had an objective of ensuring radicalization and emotional mobilization of Muslims against Christians. It is thus disconcerting that this radicalization and emotional mobilization has continued before the very eyes of Muslim leaders, government organs and security agencies for more than a decade yet to date no one has been arrested or prosecuted for hate speech against the church. In addition, this verbal abuse and mobilization has in the recent years been accompanied by terrorist attacks leading to the killing of Kenyans, Christian pastors, worshippers and destruction of churches and properties. This has gone on for far too long. The recent killing of 28 Kenyans in Mandera merely because they were not Muslims portends a new phase of the strategy that Kenyans are worried may be repeated constantly in the future.
4. Message to Muslim Leaders
Over the years, NCCK has supported inter religious dialogue with sincerity and confidence that the Muslim leaders we interacted with were equally committed to peace and security. However, we have come to the conclusion that we have either been dealing with Muslim leaders who have no power or grip over their faithful, or they are conspirators who are dishonest and economical with truth regarding the radicalization and mobilization against Christians. This is especially so in the light of the strong words Muslim leaders use to defend mosques where radical literature and weapons have been found. How do weapons get into mosques without the leaders' knowledge? It then becomes futile to remain engaged when the situation is going from bad to worse. Christians do not now trust the prompt press statements by Muslim leaders dissociating themselves and the Islamic faith from the terror attacks every time one happens. The leaders have never presented any evidence that they have ever taken any action to pre-empt and prevent such attacks on Christians before they happen. If they have they should tell us the security officers they informed and if such chose to take no action. We wish to remind all Muslims that they live everywhere in Kenya and in some locations there are only a handful of them. They just as the Christians and indeed all Kenyans will benefit from the peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect throughout the country. It is therefore in their interests to reverse the anger being built up in the church.
5. Message to the Government
The NCCK affirms that the President and his government have a constitutional and social contract to provide protection to the people of Kenya and their properties by all means. We note however that the current security arrangement seems challenged in executing its role, especially at the Coast, North Eastern and other parts of the country. The NCCK believes that the acts of terror that have been perpetrated against the church and other Kenyans happened in the full knowledge of local security agencies who are either conspirators, complacent, incompetent or compromised. We therefore call upon on the President to accurately establish the security gaps and their remedies in a speedy manner, especially in the light of the fact that there is a strong lack of coordination of security personnel and resources. Further to this, NCCK believes that the Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), Members of National Assembly, Governors, and Senators who were elected by the citizens in the areas where attacks are persistent have the political networks capable of detecting and stopping the planning of such attacks by enlisting security agencies in their endeavours. The threats by the government that where such leaders are culpable they will be arrested and charged have not been fulfilled. We wonder why the government fears ruffling such leaders.
6. Our Call to the Government
Since the government has a record of the mosques where radicalization and hate speech against Christians have been perpetrated, the perpetrators and Muslim leaders responsible for those mosques should be arrested and charged in court for conspiracy to commit crimes or failure to stop them. Further, it appears that in the new constitutional dispensation the security delivery structures have been severely constrained. The President and his government should confront Kenyans with any changes that may be required to strengthen the security machinery and check the runaway terrorism. Christians are happy to go to a referendum to enact changes which will enable the unequivocal capacity of the government to protect its citizens and their properties if that is what it takes. The first place to start should be the enactment and operationalization of the Anti-Terrorism law that most Muslim leaders have persistently resisted. There is also a need for a marshal plan on dealing with security. The NCCK observes that unless the government acts decisively on matters security and Muslim leaders find a mechanism for disowning and exposing for arrest perpetrators of attacks, the patience of Christians who have for long restrained themselves despite these attacks due to a desire to operate within the rule of law may be stretched beyond breaking point. Retaliatory attacks may become a real possibility. In the meantime, we urge the government to cease the unjust exercising of religious freedom especially at the coast. We note that Christians are not allowed to hold overnight prayers or gospel crusades yet the Muslims are allowed to do so. This discrimination must stop.
7. Message on the Extractive Industry in Kenya
As Kenyans celebrate the discovery of minerals in various areas, we are concerned that discussions regarding the exploration and exploitation of the same have neither been comprehensive nor inclusive. It is therefore critical that the communitiesliving in these areas are brought in and engaged. A case in point is Mui Basin in Kitui County where Coal is being extracted. The framework of engagement has left the community exposed to well-connected people who are out to exploit the people by buying out their land. Further, no clear benefits or compensation frameworks that takes into consideration contextual dynamics have been put in place, thereby negating social development. The fact that this is a new area of engagementmeans that there is a general weak and inadequate legislation and policy framework, which leaves the country and its people vulnerable to exploitation and economic injustices. The existing laws seem to protect and enrich the investorsto the disadvantage of the government and the community. We therefore urge the President not to assent to the current Mining Bill and instead send it back to Parliament requiring that there be more public engagement on the same. Further, we call upon the government to make public all the mining and exploration agreements that have been signed with different investors. On its part, the NCCK has established a task force of the Executive Committee to study this matter in depth and operationalize a grassroots engagement by church leaders and other stakeholders in negotiations, civic empowerment and monitoring of the developments in this sector amongst other aspects.
8. Conclusion
The year is coming to an end. We know the country has gone through a lot but we thank God for remaining faithful despite the challenges. As we prepare for the upcoming festivities, we urge Kenyans to remain focused on their daily endeavours and always trust in God for his guidance. Remember that our prosperities depend on our association with God. Let us all remember the less fortunate in society as we celebrate. We pray that all Kenyans will have a blessed Christmas and God-filled 2015.
Signed on this 26th day of November 2014 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
Rev Canon Rosemary Mbogoh CHAIRPERSON Rev Canon Peter Karanja GENERAL SECRETARY
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