KENYA: Christian Leaders Insist on Consensus Building on Kenya’s Constitution Amendment Bill
A section of Christian Leaders In Kenya
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Christian leaders in Kenya have reminded the government and all citizens the need of consensus building on the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Act, 2020, so that all people understand the Bill and that the decision is not only left for politicians.
The Church leaders from across the country who included the clergy, women, youth and persons with disabilities had a two-day National Christian Conference convened by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops – Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (KCCB – CJPC) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) under the auspices of the Ecumenical Civic Engagement Programme (ECEP).
“Recognizing the importance of all Kenyans being involved in any discussions and processes that touch or affect the Constitution, we restate the importance of dialogue and consensus building.” The Constitution is too important to be left in the hands of political leaders alone,” reads in part a communique signed on Friday, December 11, by the Chairman of KCCB’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission Bishop John Oballa Owaa and NCCK General Secretary Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui.
“Our position remains that it is too early for us to say Yes or No to the Amendment Bill, and instead remain committed to promoting consensus building on the referendum so that it promotes unity and peace in the nation, not division and competition,” the church leaders highlighted in their collective statement adding that, “Consensus should lead to a re-opening of the Bill to accommodate concerns on provisions that may claw back on gains Kenyans have already made.”
Reminding citizens of their role in preparations towards referendum, the Church leaders said in their Friday communique, “Read the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020, and participate in civic education forums so that you fully understand the implications of the proposals in the Bill.”
“Evaluate the Amendment Bill on the basis of whether it solves the 9 issues that were identified by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Right Honorable Raila Odinga (Opposition leaders) when they set up the Building Bridges Initiative process,” they added and advised the citizen further, “Resist any incitement to conflict on account of the Bill, the referendum process or any other grounds.
The citizens were also reminded to exercise sovereign power directly during the referendum and to know that their decision during the referendum “will impact how Kenya is governed now and in the future,” and so the need to “avoid making parochial decisions.”
The two-day conference held under the theme “Informed and Participatory Decision Making on Constitutional Amendments” encouraged Kenyans on the significance of nationwide civic education on referendum.
“We request all clergy and leaders of congregations to provide time during worship sessions for civic education on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020,” the Christian leaders underscored and added “We need to provide truthful interpretation of the Bill for the people so that they are not dependent on the influence of the proponents or opponents.”
They recommended to the clergy and other congregation leaders to conduct civic education to empower Kenyans to make informed choices and to “Collaborate with partners in the Dialogue Reference Group at national and county levels to establish observatories for monitoring the referendum process to pre-empt malpractices.”
Additionally, the Church leaders have been urged to “Desist from according politicians space to carry out campaigns for or against the Bill in the places of worship.”
Addressing the government leaders in their collective statement, Christian representatives have requested for the government to “Provide resources for nationwide civic education, to take into account the views of all Kenyans especially those who express opposition to the BBI process,” and also “To investigate and prosecute any persons who incite the public against one another,” when it comes to referendum issues.
The delegates of the National Christian Conference called for mediation for peace during the referendum and the forthcoming General Elections in 2022, asking “all Kenyans to pursue paths that lead to peace, unity and a better Kenya, and to avoid paths that lead to conflict and discord.”
“A divisive referendum was held 2 years before the General Elections, and the result was a devastating wave of post-election violence,” the Christian leaders noted recalling the 2015 referendum held in the country.
“As Kenyans we need to do all we can to prevent a similar occurrence. Key in this will be separating the politics of the referendum from the politics of 2022 General Elections,” they highlighted their observation and concluded, “We have resolved to continue working with our fellow faith leaders in the Dialogue Reference Group at national and county levels to mediate for peace before, during and after the referendum and the 2022 General Elections,” and “We urge all Kenyans to reject any leaders who foment conflict and violence in their communities.”
