Nyeri: Clerics under the National Council of Churches (NCCK) (Central Region) are advocating for significant changes in the country, including a halt to early campaigns before the 2027 election.
According to Kenya News Agency, the religious leaders emphasized these demands during a press briefing at a meeting held at the Caritas Development Centre.
The clerics have urged both county and national governments to address the rising number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. They stressed the need for the Ministry of Health to develop and enforce regulations on the marketing of foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats. Additionally, they called for mandatory Front of Pack Warning Labels on such foods and encouraged volunteer counselors and psychologists to provide free mental health services in churches.
Concerning today’s mini-poll, the clerics appealed for a peaceful election environment, free from hooliganism and voter bribery. They insisted that the security of voters and candidates must be ensured to uphold fair election standards. The clerics also demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) take action against politicians and parties engaging in early campaigns, questioning the commission’s ability to prevent election rigging if early campaigning continues unchecked.
The Council further expressed the need for stronger actions against incitement and hate speech ahead of the 2027 General Election. They urged security agencies and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to identify and bar individuals involved in such acts from running for political offices. The statement also called on various commissions and law enforcement bodies to take decisive action against politicians inciting public unrest.
The religious leaders reiterated their stance against using the pulpit for political purposes, while allowing politicians to participate in regular worship. They emphasized the importance of maintaining objectivity and non-partisanship while holding political leaders accountable. The NCCK Executive Committee’s guidelines on ministering to politicians will be enforced, treating all worshippers equally and restricting politicians from addressing congregants inside churches.
