Organization of African Instituted Churches Kenya Chapter

Statement on the Present Political Situation

'I have posted watchmen on your walls, 0 Jerusalem; They shall never be silent day or night.'
Isaiah 62:6-7

Introduction

We met in a gathering of church heads, pastors, and women and youth representatives, as members of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (Kenya Chapter), at YMCA South C, Nairobi, on 20th to 21st November 2008, to discuss the challenges facing our nation. As members of AlCs we speak on behalf of the ordinary people of Kenya.

All of us desire a lasting peace for our country. We have received reliable reports that in some communities and in some areas people are arming for war, in order to protect their leaders - the 'flag bearers' of their communities - in the event of implementation of the Waki report

The position of OAIC Kenya on the present situation is as follows:

The Kriegler report on the conduct of the 2007 General Elections

This report should be implemented in full. It is clear that the Electoral Commission of Kenya failed in its responsibilities. It should be disbanded as soon as the necessary constitutional changes have been effected.We recognize that corruption in the electoral process is not just caused by institutional failure.

It is also the result of poverty, ignorance and our inability to understand that political disagreement can be healthy in a flourishing democracy. We therefore urge our churches to support and participate in programmes of poverty alleviation and civic education.We further urge that civic education should be a continuous process, and not confined to the months just before a general election.

The Waki report on post-electoral violence

We commend the work of the Waki Commission. Government should take immediate steps to implement the report in full.

This will include

1. Setting a special tribunal in Kenya to investigate allegations against those named in the 'envelope'. We note that the Commission itself recommends further investigations should be undertaken on the truth or otherwise of its allegations. No one has yet been declared guilty.
2. Investigations into the conduct of the police during January and February, and the setting up of an independent police commission.
3. The Commission's report should be shortened, simplified and put into a language that the ordinary person can understand.This will prevent politicians from willfully misinterpreting its contents.

Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC)

This Bill is an essential pillar of the National Accord.Truth, justice, and reconciliation are biblical concepts. As church leaders we are concerned that the Bill should not remain the property of Parliament alone.The whole country needs to be educated about the process this bill proposes.

Why has it not been exhaustively discussed in the public domain?

Furthermore we are concerned that:

1. It is not clear how this bill relates to the Waki report. We fear that the TJRC process may be taken advantage of by politicians attempting to escape from the recommendations of the Waki Commission.
2. The provisions for amnesty need to be clear and consistent with international law. Otherwise contradictions in the process may be manipulated by those seeking to escape justice.
3. As Christians, we believe that forgiveness follows upon confession and repentance. Therefore any amnesty - if appropriate - must be preceded by a full investigation, trial, and judgment
4. The provisions for reparations need to be clarified and the process made more accessible to the victims of the violence.

Constitutional reforms

We call upon the President and Prime Minister to take steps as soon as possible to facilitate the preparation of a new constitution as the fourth pillar of the National Accord and the foundation of our future peace and prosperity.

The other reforms proposed in the Kriegler and Waki Reports cannot be fully implemented until the new constitution is in place. The citizens of Kenya need to be fully involved in the writing of this constitution.

Our political culture

It is a scandal that thousands of IDPs have not yet returned home, been resettled, or assisted to restart their lives.We observe that while this situation remains unresolved our MPs have already embarked on presidential campaigns for 2012.

As a matter of principle we believe that MPs should pay taxes on all their income like other Kenyans.

As church leaders, we recognize that we have not adequately captured the political world for the Christian faith.We commit ourselves to guiding our flocks in promoting a mature politics of justice, peace, reconciliation, and national unity.

'Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.' James 1: 19-20.

Archbishop John M. Kivuli II
Chairman

Rev. John N. Gichimu
Team Leader

For forty one member denominations Organization of African Instituted Churches

Kenya Chapter PO Box 21736 - 00505 Nairobi