The National Council of Churches of Kenya, Central Region has urged the government to allow the youths to conduct peaceful demonstrations with no use of excessive force by the police.
They have called upon the Inspector General of police to publicly account for all individuals who have been allegedly abducted or secretly arrested. Additionally, they also want those arrested during last week’s demonstrations released.
NCCK has sent condolence messages to the families of those killed during protests.
The council has called upon all leaders to keenly listen to the people’s will citing that the season of chest-thumping and bravado is over.
“It is of absolute importance that we listen to each other. In this regard, we call upon all leaders especially political, religious and social, to keenly listen to the people to discern and honour their will,” the Council said.
According to a statement released by Bishop Dr Timothy Gichere the Regional Chairman of NCCK Central Region, the risk of sinking into social chaos is high as the youth have been highly deprived with regard to education, life skills and employment.
Consequently, Gichere wants all the leaders to focus more than 80 per cent of their effort and resources on empowering the youth to have dignified livelihoods and to be equipped for leadership.
He has said that the NCCK is working with their member churches to develop youth-led, youth-owned and youth-focused programmes of action, in addition to enhancing the budgets allocated to youth departments.
The council has urged the President to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission citing that the country must be premised on constitutional democracy and justice.
The council has urged counties to develop initiatives aimed at inspiring the youth to embrace value-addition agriculture and also deploy more agronomists and field staff to train and mentor the farmers.
