NCCK Raises Alarm Over Goonism, Rising Cost of Living and SHA Crisis
Rev. Dr. Alphonce Kang, NCCK chairman speaking during the NCCK media briefing in Nairobi he is accompannied by Rev.Jackline Makena-Youth Representative NCCK Rev .Canon Charles Chege- NCCK Vice Chair Nairobi Region and other delegates
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has raised concern over what it described as growing governance failures in the country, warning that political violence, economic hardship and weaknesses in the healthcare system are threatening human dignity and democratic ideals.
In a press statement issued after a 2-day regional convention in Nairobi bringing together delegates from Nairobi, Kiambu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties, the church body accused political leaders of prioritising personal interests over the welfare of citizens.
“The democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution are being overshadowed by a transactional political elite that prioritizes self-interest over the welfare of wananchi,” the statement read.
The council strongly condemned what it termed as the normalization of “goonism” in Kenya’s political landscape, saying unemployed youth were increasingly being exploited by politicians to intimidate opponents and disrupt meetings.
“Paying a young Kenyan as little as 200 to 500 shillings to disrupt a meeting or intimidate a fellow citizen is not just a security issue; it is a gross violation of human dignity,” NCCK said.
The church leaders called on the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to deregister parties found sponsoring violence, while urging the Director of Public Prosecutions to pursue politicians financing criminal gangs.
NCCK also criticised state agencies over what it described as failure to curb hate speech and political incitement, challenging institutions mandated to enforce cohesion and justice to take firm action against offenders.
On the rising cases of flooding in Nairobi, the council blamed poor urban planning and stalled drainage projects for the deaths and destruction witnessed during the ongoing rains.
“Nairobi has become the epicentre of a recurring tragedy,” the statement said, adding that the suffering experienced by residents reflects “systemic urban planning failures.”
The council further faulted the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), citing concerns raised by the Auditor General regarding lack of state ownership over the digitisation system and alleged financial leakages.
“With reports indicating a loss of KSh11 billion to fraudulent claims in just six months, it is clear that public resources are being siphoned while hospitals remain under-equipped,” NCCK said.
The church leaders linked the healthcare crisis to rising maternal deaths and lack of essential drugs and staff in underserved regions, insisting that access to healthcare is a constitutional right and not a political privilege.
NCCK also expressed concern over the rising cost of living, saying millions of Kenyans continue to struggle with food insecurity and increasing commodity prices despite fluctuating inflation figures.
The council called for urgent reforms and accountability across government institutions, warning that failure to act would continue eroding public trust and worsening the suffering of ordinary Kenyans.
