NCCK Inspires Climate Action Plan for NOREB Counties
The eight North Rift counties have developed a region-wide ecosystem oriented Climate Change Action Plan in a process coordinated by the National Council of Churches of Kenya and the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB).
The drafting of the Climate Change Action Plan was completed during a three-day forum that brought together Chief Officers and Directors responsible for environment and climate change dockets in the eight NOREB counties.
The counties that comprise NOREB are Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot. They have as a region suffered major climate change impacts that are compounded by intra and inter-county insecurity.
“Conservation and restoration of the environment in this region, coupled with mitigation of climate change impacts, will radically improve the quality of life of our people and even end the persistent resource-based conflicts,” Dr Godfrey Chesang, the Chief Executive Officer of NOREB remarked. He urged the Chief Officers and Directors, who were accompanied by NOREB and NCCK staff, to be comprehensive when recommending actions to transform the lives of the residents.
On her part, Phyllis Kamau-Kiarie, the Programmes Director of NCCK, observed that real climate change mitigation and adaptation can only be achieved through locally-led initiatives. “Every man, woman, youth and child must play their part in actively protecting and restoring the environment. It is these individual actions that will accumulate to a betterment of the lives of all households.”
Phyllis commended the North Rift Region counties for the commitment to jointly address the impact of climate change. “The county-specific climate change actions are commendable, but only an ecosystem approach will achieve the aspirations of the local wananchi“, she pointed out.
The Climate Change Action Plan development forum was supported by the Dan Church Aid (DCA) through the Uwazi na Maendeleo Mashinani project.
The Climate Change Action Plan has been shared with the County Executive Committee members of the NOREB counties in readiness for validation and implementation.
- Published in News
Ikutha CCCD Multi Year Program Launched
The National Council of Churches of Kenya has today launched the multi-annual Ikutha Child Centered Community Development Project. The launch was the climax of the Day of the African Child celebrations in Kitui County that were officiated by the General Secretary, Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui. Kitui County Governor, Dr Julius Malombe, was represented by Hon Phoebe Mutemi, the County Executive Committee member for Gender, Youth and Culture.
With a goal of contributing to improved wellbeing of children, the 8-year Ikutha CCCD is aimed at increasing child protection and participation and enhancing livelihoods of vulnerable households. In addition, the project will train community members on parenting skills, and empower youths for self reliance. These will be buttressed on improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene, and support for school retention and performance.
The Ikutha CCCD program is a partnership between the NCCK and HACA (Help A Child Africa).
Overall, the program is seeking to transform the lives of 2,500 children, 1,500 vulnerable households, and 400 youths in Ikutha Ward, Kitui County.
Speaking during the launch, Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui, the General Secretary, observed that economic wellbeing of parents is essential for sustenance of human rights.
“We are working with self help groups to build a culture of saving one’s income and investing it income generating ventures”, Canon Chris explained to the 800 participants in the Day of the African Child forum.
Click to watch the Livestream of the launch of the Ikutha CCCD Plan.
- Published in News
Regulate Food Marketing to Control NCDs – South Rift
The NCCK South Rift Region has over the last two days held a forum here at PCEA Milele Resort, Nakuru, to reflect on the emerging pandemic of Non Communicable Diseases. The forum brought together leaders from the NCCK member churches in Baringo, Bomet, Kericho, Nakuru, Narok and Samburu Counties. The forum was inspired by the scripture recorded in Deuteronomy 27: 18
Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road. Then all the people shall say, Amen.
And also in Matthew 18: 6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
We in this forum recognized that the number of Kenyans suffering from Non Communicable Diseases is rising steadily and if urgent action is not taken, we will soon have a crisis in families and health facilities. We especially noted that according to the National Strategic Plan, NCDs account for more than 39% of all deaths and 50% of all hospitalizations in Kenya. Even more concerning to us is that the number of children diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular diseases has risen sharply, meaning that age is no longer the main driver of these diseases.
- Declare NCDs a National Emergency
Statistics show that 77% of the health expenditure of Kenyan households goes to management of Non Communicable Diseases. On average, it costs a patient KSh 130,000 per year to manage an NCD that does not have complications. Most survivors are devastated by the fact that the health coverage benefits under the Social Health Authority / Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA/SHIF) are grossly way below this average. We anticipate that NCD related complications will rise in the short term due to non-compliance among the middle-level and low income communities.
We appeal to the government to speedily declare Non Communicable Diseases a national emergency to ensure adequate attention and action across the state to stop the pandemic from worsening.
- Regulate Marketing of Unhealthy Foods
Recognizably, the current rise in prevalence of NCDs is being driven by increasing consumption of foods that are high in salt, high in saturated fats, and high in sugar. It is a major risk for the nation that highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages are intensively marketed on media and social structures. We find it diabolical that these advertisements are primarily targeted at children, who are already at risk of being diagnosed with NCDs.
We therefore call for urgent measures by the media as well as national and county governments to regulate the advertisement of the unhealthy foods, and instead provide incentives to marketers of healthy foods to make it cheaper for them to advertise. Among other elements, the regulations should curtail the placement of advertisements for foods high in sugar, high in salt and high in saturated fats near schools or during the water-shed hours when children are likely to be consuming media. Further, we call for an immediate cessation of the use of children or children-like characters in advertisement of unhealthy foods. Let us join in protecting the future generation.
We appeal to all our food producers to not be like the people described in Romans 16: 18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.
- Introduce Mandatory Front of Pack Warning Labels
In addition to restricting marketing of unhealthy foods, we call upon the Ministry of Health and all related stakeholders to accelerate the process of adopting policies to require food processors to include Front of Pack Warning Labels. The labels must be clear to read and must be of specific colour and size, and should indicate the quantity of salt, sugar and saturated fats in the product.
We state firmly that Kenyans have a right to know what they are eating, and the truth should not be hidden in illegible and unintelligible so-called back-of-the-pack nutrition content summaries that are currently in use.
- Give Kenyans a Working Health Insurance or Revert to NHIF
Kenyans are devastated by the fact that every other day, a new scandal arises tied to the newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund, also called Taifacare. The recent report by the Auditor General that the government does not have control of the system running the health scheme is a major cause of worry for Kenyans.
In our counties, we continue to witness the suffering of Kenyan citizens who are having to pay for their healthcare following the reduction of benefits under the SHIF as compared to what was provided under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). We urge the government to change the benefits package under the SHIF to be the same as what was under NHIF, or to be made better. We should not be retrogressing, but improving.
- End the Early Campaigns
We are deeply concerned that across the communities in our counties, the general mood is one of sadness and hopelessness. The economic state of our people is devastating households, who are now poorer than they have ever been. This status cannot hold for long, as it is creating an environment for incitement and mobilisation to violence and insecurity.
We appeal to the government to radically and urgently change the financial and economic policy and structure in the nation to prevent a slide into chaos. If this is not remedied urgently, we are likely to witness violence in our counties in the lead up to the 2027 General Elections.
We especially demand that politicians stop early campaigns and instead focus on service delivery.
- Conclusion
We conclude by remembering that God holds us responsible for how we feed and take care of our bodies, just as he warns us 1 Corinthians 3: 16 – 17
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
May God help us to embrace healthy diets in our families and communities; and may God bless our communities with the resources necessary to afford the healthy foods for their households.
Signed on this 5th day of March, 2025, at PCEA Milele Resort, Nakuru.
Bishop Peter Muiruri
Chairman, NCCK South Rift Region
Turkana County Residents to Get Water
NCCK’s commitment to transforming lives is going a notch higher with the drilling of a borehole that will impact the lives of more than 2,500 households in Morulen Ward, Turkana County.
The households, who depend on the seasonal Kerio River, frequently suffer water scarcity and have to travel long distances in search of the crucial commodity. This has limited their capacity to engage in crop agriculture and restricts the number of animals they can keep as livestock.
All this is set to change, as was attested by an elated Eliud Merimug, a community leader. “NCCK has trained us well on agriculture and improved irrigation methods, but without water the skills we have gained would not fully benefit us,” he explained, adding, “This is why we are so excited about this borehole. It will enable us to cultivate high-value crops such as soybeans, groundnuts, watermelons and butternut crops.”
Eliud was among more than 500 residents who attended a ceremony to witness the handing over of the borehole site to the drilling company. The community currently has 500 cows and 1,000 goats and sheep, which will greatly benefit from the borehole.
The drilling of the borehole is being undertaken under the Turkana Resilience Project, which is supported by the Mennonite Central Committee.
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TRANS-NZOIA COUNTY DIALOGUE ON MEDIATION
Preamble
The Trans-Nzoia County Dialogue Forum as part of the Religious Leaders of Kenya, have held a County Dialogue forum on mediation today Wednesday 13th March 2024 at the Church Of God Police line Mitume. We reflected from Jeremiah 13: 1 – 12 urging members “to listen and hearken to the word of God or we will perish as a nation”
The Trans-Nzoia County Dialogue forum brought together delegates from religious groups and representatives of KCCB, NCCK, SUPKEM Youth, Women, and Media, in Trans-Nzoia, to deliberate on National Dialogue Committee recommendations and proposes as endorsed in this Press Statement.
Our Point of Reference: As religious leaders, we commend the National Dialogue Committee for the outstanding work it has done to ensure that Kenya still remains as one Country. However, we are concerned with some of the issues as recommended by the National Dialogue Committee that has given its report to the two principals of Kenya Kwanza Hi Excellency Dr Ruto and Azimio Hon Raila Odinga. We are aware that once the report is tabled in both houses laws will be put in place to operationalize what was agreed some of which might require a referendum causing major changes in our constitution.
Our Commitment
Having thoroughly deliberated on the resolutions as proposed by the National Dialogue Committee we commit to ensuring that peace prevails in the country following the report of the National Dialogue Committee.
Our Outcomes
The Trans-Nzoia County Dialogue Consultative Forum wishes to respond as follows to the five agenda recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee.
On Outstanding Constitutional Matters –The government ensures that parliament passes laws to ensure the realization of the rights under article 43 of the constitution for these are basic rights for all Kenyans. The government to come up with measures to ensure that the cost of living is further brought down in Kenya. This is especially hurting the vulnerable and poor members of our society. Need to relook into taxes for the Mwananchi is overburdened. Both governments to fight Corruption at all levels and eliminate nepotism.
On Implementation of the 2/3rd gender rule, we feel that this should be progressive as it is. The creation of more seats is increasing the wage bill which is already a heavy burden on Kenyans. There should be no ethnic biases, nepotism, or bribery in public appointments. Inclusivity should be seen working and taking center stage. The parliament should provide adequate checks and balances as provided for by the constitution.
On Electoral Justice and Related Matters, we support restructuring and reconstitution of the IEBC and increase the number from 7 to 9 due to the weighty election work keeping in mind that the population has increased. However, we propose that in the commission there should be a representative from NCCK for it’s an umbrella of religious groups. On the creation of counties, we feel that this will be an extra burden to the exchequer and yet even present counties are not getting enough funds.
On Audit of the 2022 presidential election, we recommend that an audit of the past election should not be conducted. This will open old wounds, mistrust, and hatred among Kenyans. What is important is to ensure improvement in the way we will hold our next general election by putting structures, laws, and competent personnel to ensure credible elections.
On Entrenching Funds into the Constitution the two proposed funds should be entrenched (The national government constituencies’ development fund and the National Government affirmative action fund). However, the Senate oversight fund should be scrubbed. That is an extra burden to Kenyans.
On the Establishment and Entrenchment of State Offices, we agree that the office of the leader of the official opposition is to be created. However, the office of the prime minister is to be given to the opposition side so as to act as checks and balances to the government.
On Fidelity to Political Parties/ Coalitions and The Law on Multiparty, Democracy-Preventing interference with political parties/ coalitions, we support the creation of an independent Regulatory body to look into issues of political parties. The political registrar’s body is more of a government agency hence always controlled by the executive. However, we recommend a representative from the NCCK to be nominated to the body. Political parties to be allowed to form coalitions before or after the elections. This is healthy for multipartism and provides strength for parties. However, party hopping should not be allowed at all costs to bring discipline to political parties. Once one defects, that seat should be declared vacant.
CONCLUSION:
We thank all the participants of the county dialogue mediation group and partners for their wisdom in availing such a platform.
It is a good opportunity for us, the Religious Leaders, to come together with other key sectors and stakeholders within the County in order to dialogue and chart our own course towards the peace and prosperity of our beloved Country and County of Trans-Nzoia.
We hereby bind ourselves to the use of this County Dialogue Forum with integrity and sound thought for the collective betterment of our well-being as representatives of diverse Communities and interest groups in Trans-Nzoia County, and we as the people’s spiritual leaders, commit to remain faithful to our God, who has called us all to be his stewards and overseers over his people.
Long live our County, long live Kenya!
To God be the Glory!
Signed on the 13th of March, 2024 by:
Rev. Aggrey Olumola
Chairman of NCCK Trans-Nzoia Coordinating Committee
Arise, Shape Your Future Destiny – Pastoral Letter
Arise, Shape Your Future Destiny
Pastoral Letter to the People of Kenya
Deuteronomy 28: 11
The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity – in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground – in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is holding a two-day statutory meeting here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
- State of the Nation
The Executive Committee has taken stock of the state of the nation, and is saddened to note that the country is not in a good condition, akin to a patient who is in Intensive Care Unit. Overall, we find that
One, the economy is on a free-fall, with the purchasing power of citizens dwindling every day, leading to the collapse of businesses, rise in unemployment and increase in poverty.
Two, the respect for human rights and respect for rule of law has deteriorated to the point where Kenyans, especially leaders and human rights defenders, are living in fear of abduction and forced disappearances.
Three, lies and falsehood have been elevated to the point where no one knows what to believe any more.
Four, the constitutional and legal framework of the nation, which is the glue that binds us together, is under attack with attempts to introduce anti-people changes and provisions.
Having considered this state of affairs, we now write this Pastoral Letter to the people of Kenya.
2. Know the Truth About Your Nation
The Bible warns against listening to lies, as we read in Ezekiel 13: 19
You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not live.
The situation in our country is the direct result of our tendency, as the people of Kenya, to listen to and believe the narratives peddled by persons seeking to rise to or to hold onto political leadership. These narratives are often premised on lies and falsehoods. We appeal to you, Brothers and Sisters, to be seekers of truth. Do not just believe what is said, but take a step to verify if what you have been told is true.
3. Demand for Reconstitution of the IEBC
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is the most crucial organ in the exercise of democracy in Kenya, for it is the body mandated to facilitate election and removal of leaders. The persistent refusal by the current political leadership to reconstitute the IEBC is a major insult to the people of Kenya and an attack on who we are as a nation.
We encourage you, as the citizens of Kenya, not to give your elected leaders and their appointees peace until they heed to the demand for urgent recruitment of IEBC Commissioners as provided for in the Constitution. We urge you to raise your voices to demand that the Judiciary concludes the cases touching on the IEBC reconstitution within the next two weeks. We must get back our democracy.
4. Recall Non Performing Leaders
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are in the sad situation where the Members of Parliament have betrayed the electorate who voted them into office. Instead of representing the people, they have become spanner boys carrying out the work of the Executive. Instead of oversighting the Executive, they are cheerleaders in oppressing the people. Instead of speaking for the people, they are making oppressive laws. This state is unsustainable.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 in Article 104 (1) provides that
The electorate under Articles 97 and 98 have the right to recall the member of Parliament representing their constituency before the end of the term of the relevant House of Parliament.
We encourage you as voters to collect signatures and commence the processes of recalling the Members of Parliament who are not performing as per your requirements and demands. As the electorate, you are the employer, not a servant, of the Members of Parliament and other elected leaders, and the right of recall is the disciplinary measure availed to us by the Constitution.
5. Demand for Better Healthcare
Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is God’s will that you have a healthy life, as we read in Deuteronomy 7: 15 – The Lord will keep you free from every disease. It is therefore a very major concern for us that the healthcare in the country has been thrust into confusion leading to suffering and deaths across the country. As Citizens, do not remain silent. Take every opportunity you have to demand that the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is suspended until all the necessary structures are put in place. The healthcare of Kenyans must not be sacrificed just so that a few people can steal public funds. Further, we need to hold our Members of Parliament to account for hurriedly passing the bills in Parliament which instituted the SHIF while knowing full well that it was going to cause suffering in the nation.
6. Reject, Name and Shame the Corrupt
Corruption is the biggest threat to national security and most destructive pandemic afflicting Kenya. It is very unfortunate that every arm of the government, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, and even the independent commissions, have been associated with corruption. This is the state God complains about in Micah 3: 11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
It is our conviction that only we as the people of Kenya can stop corruption. Let us end the culture of celebrating the corrupt and start ashaming them instead. Let us build a culture of supporting and electing persons who manifest integrity.
Towards this, we encourage all of us as Kenyans to reject contributions by political leaders and their appointees knowing that most of the money given is stolen taxes. We must stop celebrating whenever the President, Members of Parliament, Governors, Members of County Assemblies and other political actors donate money whose sources are not clear.
On our part as the church, we make it clear that all persons are free to attend worship services and give their offerings, but we will not allow this sacred religious practice to be used for self-promotion and self-marketing. We will continue propagating and applying the guidelines issued by the NCCK which requires that politicians should not be allowed to address congregations inside the church.
7. Demand for People-Focused Reforms
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we take note that in the recent past, multiple laws have been presented in Parliament which if enacted will radically change the electoral framework and will effectively destroy democracy. In addition to these, there are 9 different agriculture related Bills which will criminalize food production in our nation. We are convinced that the reason political leaders have not undertaken civic education on these laws, none of which are sponsored by Kenyans in any of our constituencies, is because they know Kenyans will not support them.
We encourage you to demand from your Members of Parliament that these laws are withdrawn. Do not allow Parliament to enact laws that will make your very life illegitimate.
We also urge you to strongly reject the proposed vaccination of animals being driven by international bodies. Make it clear to your Members of Parliament and Members of County Assemblies that we do not want Kenya to be a surrogate of international bodies. Especially make it clear that as Kenyans we have rejected Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
8. Let Us End Violence and Discrimination
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we appeal to you that we join hands in ending the rising cases of gender-based violence that is rising in our communities. Let us all endeavor to find peaceful ways of resolving conflicts and disagreements that include dialogue, mediation and counseling.
Further, we urge you to do what is within your power to end the discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.
9. Conclusion
In conclusion, dear Brothers and Sisters, we appeal to you to arise and shape the destiny of our nation. We cannot leave this role to the political leaders, who have betrayed us. As the people we must unite, knowing that the unity of the citizenry is what will make our nation better, being inspired by the scripture recorded in 1 Corinthians 1: 10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
And also in our National Anthem.
Let all with one accord, In common bond united, Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya, The fruit of our labour, Fill every heart with thanksgiving
We take this moment to wish all Kenyans a blessed and Christ-centered Christmas, and God-filled New Year 2025.
Signed on this 3rd day of December 2024 at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru
Rev Dr Elias Otieno Agola
Chairman
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
General Secretary
- Published in News
NCCK Donates 50,000 Tree Seedlings
NCCK Donates 50,000 Tree Seedlings
The afforestation dream of Kitui County has moved a step closer following the donation of 50,000 tree seedlings to residents of by the National Council of Churches of Kenya.
The seedlings included Neem, Acacia, Senna Siamea, mango and lemon species, which are well suited for the arid climate of Athi Ward, Kitui County.
The donation, coming hot on heels of 10,000 saplings distributed earlier in May this year, is part of NCCK’s ambitious plan to plant and grow 1.5 billion trees over the next ten years.
“We sincerely thank NCCK for giving us tree seedlings. These plants will play an important role in improving our environment, and fruit trees like mangoes will provide us with food as well as a source of funds from sales,” said Jeniffer Nzuki, a farmer from Yolomuni village in Monguni sub-location. She is one of the 2,160 households who received 22 saplings each.
Further, NCCK-inspired 4K Environmental Clubs in 28 schools in the Ward received 100 seedlings each to support their efforts to instill ecological stewardship and practical conservation skills among the learners.
60 churches were also beneficiaries of the initiative, each receiving 100 seedlings as part of a drive to promote environmental stewardship.
The tree seedlings distribution was marked by the planting of 300 seedlings around the Kwa Kamu Earth Dam in the Kilawa sub-location. The recently de-silted dam is expected to provide a sustainable water source for 500 families.
Festus Kilonzo, the Athi Ward Administrator, spearheaded the tree planting event that was attended by local authorities, village administrators, clergy, ward water committee, and community members.
The tree-planting initiative is a critical component of the Nature Positive Food Systems Project, which NCCK is implementing in partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) through the United Church of Canada (UCC).
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Focus on Addressing Non Communicable Diseases
Focus on Addressing Non Communicable Diseases
Press Statement
Preamble
The NCCK Nyanza Region has held a two-day consultation on healthy living, with a specific focus on addressing the growing crisis of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), here at CDF Hall, Nyamira County. The delegates, drawn from Homa Bay, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira and Siaya Counties reflected on the scripture recorded in Exodus 23: 25
Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.
Recognizing that it is God’s will and intention for all people to be healthy, we share the following message.
1. Declare NCDs a National Emergency
Non Communicable Diseases are devastating the country. There is no family in Kenya today that does not have one or more members suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease or another cardiovascular disease. Data from the government shows that more than 50% of hospitalizations and 39% of deaths in Kenya are as a result of Non Communicable Diseases. Families have been crippled, their incomes and resources wiped out. This is an epidemic we cannot ignore any more. To rescue our nation, we demand that the government declares Non Communicable Diseases a national emergency. Full and unwavering attention of the entire government must be put on addressing this crisis before it wipes out the entire population.
2. Protect Healthy Diets
The old adage that “you are what you eat” is true, noting that healthy lives are a result of healthy eating. This is the mindset that the drafters of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 had when they included the following provisions:
Article 43(1)(c) Every person has the right – to be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality
Article 46(1)(b) Consumers have the right – to the information necessary for them to gain full benefit from goods and services
To protect the access Kenyans have to healthy diets of adequate amounts, we strongly recommend the following measures:
a) Teach Nutrition at all Levels
We challenge both national and county governments to employ an adequate number of nutritionists and then facilitate them to educate the citizens on healthy diets for healthy living. On our part, we are ready to partner with the governments in this venture by allowing the nutritionists to have access to our platforms so they educate the congregants. We further call on the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development (KICD) to include nutrition studies at all levels of learning. Let us all join hands to help our people to control what they eat.
b) Introduce Front of Pack Warning Labels
We call for urgent enactment of laws and regulations by national and county assemblies to require that food processors include Front of Pack Warning Labels that will clearly indicate when products contain high levels of salt, sugar or saturated fats / oils. The warning labels, which should be of specific colour and size, will help families when they are making decisions when purchasing food items. This will be in addition to necessary improvements on the information contained on the back of pack labels, recognizing that what is contained on the current labels does not communicate to the consumers.
c) Regulate Advertisement of Unhealthy Foods
We call for immediate imposition of measures to regulate the targeting of children with advertisements of unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fats and oils. Among other elements, the regulations should curtail the placement of advertisements for foods high in the nutrients of concern near schools or during the water-shed hours when children are likely to be consuming media. Further, we call for an immediate cessation of the use of children or children-like characters in advertisement of unhealthy foods. We should not allow anyone selling poisons to pretend they are selling healthy foods!
d) Adopt the Nutrient Profile Model
We call upon the Ministry of Health to work with stakeholders to finalize and adopt the evidence-based Nutrient Profile Model. This is an essential tool that will provide the standards for determining the acceptable levels of different nutrients in the various food groups. On our part, we commit to use our structures to sensitize the citizens on the profile model and related regulations once these are put in place.
3. Revert to NHIF until the SHIF is ready
The transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is not working. Rather than delivering universal health coverage as promised, the transition is delivering pain, suffering, death and injustice to the citizens of Kenya. It is very unfortunate that the health and wellbeing of Kenyans have been sacrificed on the altar of unjust financial benefit of some government officials. Indeed, there is no clear justification for the transition other than increase in the amounts of premiums contributed by salaried Kenyans.
We demand that the government suspends the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and reverts to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) until the Social Health Authority puts all necessary measures and structures in place.
In addition, we call for a radical change in the benefits provided under the SHIF to ensure they match, or at least are better, than the benefits that we enjoyed under the NHIF. It does not make sense to us that Kenyans are now paying more money but are getting less benefits.
4. Withdraw Kenya Gazette 14818 dated November 15, 2024
We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Kenya Gazette number 14818 issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development. We take full note that the regulations that the Cabinet Secretary is purporting to introduce through the Gazette are the same as the provisions that were in the Mung Beans Bill 2022 that Kenyans soundly rejected and forced Parliament to withdraw. If implemented, the regulations in the Kenya Gazette will stifle and eventually destroy production of mung beans (ndengu) and coco yams (arrow roots). This is a major threat to the food security of small-scale farmers and their families across Kenya by hindering their healthy feeding. It is very unjust and insulting for the government to introduce such controls through the back door so as to avoid proper public participation.
5. Let us Train our Children on Healthy Living
On their part, we appeal to parents to take advantage of the two-month holiday to instil life skills, culture of work, sense of responsibility and value of healthy eating for healthy living in the young ones. We encourage parents to consultatively develop adequate plans to keep the learners busy in productive activities, so that they don’t waste all their time on entertainment.
In addition, we encourage parents to regulate the children’s access to social media, while teaching them to use the internet to get worthwhile information and not just for entertainment. Cell phones and other gadgets should not be co-parents.
Further to this, we wish well for all the students who sat for their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and those who are completing their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). We prayed for you and we are confident that God will grant you good performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we recognize that God cares about good nutrition for all, just as we read in 1 Corinthians 6: 12
Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
The foods we eat should be those that benefit us, but should not control us. Let us all join hands in cutting down the intake of high quantities of sugar, salt and saturated fats and oils. Let us all play our part in controlling Non Communicable Diseases. On their part, we urge the national and county governments to put in place the necessary legal and policy measures to regulate the nutrients of concern and to curtail advertisement of unhealthy foods.
We wish all people a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a God-Filled New Year 2025.
Signed on this 20th day of November, 2024, at CDF Hall, Nyamira Town.
Bishop Titus Odoyo Okoda
Vice Chairman, NCCK Nyanza Region
- Published in News
Protect The Right to Healthy Living
Protect The Right to Healthy Living
Press Statement
Preamble
Clergy and church leaders drawn from the NCCK Nairobi Region, which includes Nairobi and Kiambu counties, have held a two-day forum here at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, to review the state of the nation with a focus on the growing pandemic of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The forum was inspired by the scripture recorded in 3 John 1: 2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Further, the leaders took into consideration the provisions in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, especially the following:
Article 43(1)(c) Every person has the right – to be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality
Article 46(1)(b) Consumers have the right – to the information necessary for them to gain full benefit from goods and services
Recognizing that Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are exerting a heavy burden on the nation, we now appeal as follows:
- Declare NCDs a National Emergency
Without doubt, Non Communicable Diseases are now an epidemic. The NCDs are responsible for more than 50% of hospitalizations, and 39% of the deaths in Kenya. This means that NCDs are now the leading cause of death after accidents. It is therefore grossly unfortunate that the government has not allocated adequate human and financial resources to managing the Non Communicable Diseases. It is worth noting that on average, an NCD patient without complications spends more than KShs 120,000 per year on medications alone. The fact that the National Strategy on Non Communicable Diseases (2022 – 2026) was assured of KShs 8 billion from the government against a total budget of KShs 377 billion is a manifestation of the disdain at the suffering and deaths of Kenyans.
Further to this, the benefits proposed under the Social Health Authority / Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA/SHIF) for management of NCDs are way below the costs incurred by patients, requiring them to pay from their pockets for medical care and medication.
To curtail this trend and rescue the nation from a full-blown NCD epidemic, we call upon the government to declare NCDs a national emergency to facilitate attention and allocation of requisite resources.
2. Protect Healthy Diets
Research over the decades has shown that the leading risk factor for Non Communicable Diseases is Diet, especially the consumption of high levels of salt, saturated fats and oils, and sugar. To protect the health of Kenyans in line with Article 43(1)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya, we appeal for the following measures to be adopted in the immediate:
a) Educate Kenyans on Healthy Diets
We call upon the county and national governments to allocate resources to facilitate dieticians and nutritionists to use all available public forums to educate the people on healthy diets, and especially the risks posed by consumption of high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats and oils. On our part, we have committed to use our church platforms to sensitize households so that they pay keen attention on what they consume.
b) Introduce Front of Pack Warning Labels
We call for urgent enactment of laws and regulations that will require all food processors to include Front of Pack Warning Labels that are clear to read and are of a specific colour and size for consistency. The warning labels should clearly state if the products contain high quantities of salt, sugar and / or saturated fats and oils. These labels will inform decisions families make when purchasing food items.
c) Regulate Advertisement of Unhealthy Foods
We call upon the national and county governments to immediately impose measures to regulate the targeting of children with advertisements of unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fats and oils. Among other elements, the regulations should curtail the placement of advertisements for foods high in the nutrients of concern near schools or during the water-shed hours when children are likely to be consuming media. Further, we call for an immediate cessation of the use of children or children-like characters in advertisement of unhealthy foods.
In addition, we recommend that incentives be given to marketers of healthy foods to make it cheaper for them to advertise. Let us as a nation say no to sale of poisons in the name of food.
In all marketing of food products, let us be inspired by the scripture recorded in Leviticus 19:14
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.
d) Adopt the Nutrient Profile Model
We call upon the Ministry of Health to work with stakeholders to finalize and adopt the evidence-based Nutrient Profile Model. This is an essential tool that will provide the standards for determining the acceptable levels of different nutrients in the various food groups. On our part, we commit to use our structures to sensitize the citizens on the profile model and related regulations once these are put in place.
3. Revert to NHIF until the SHIF is ready
There is a growing sense of sadness and sorrow among the clergy and other church leaders as we observe the immense suffering by individual patients and families, as well as the rising number of deaths from manageable health conditions. This is largely due to the inaccessibility of required healthcare arising from the challenges driven by the rushed transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Except for the increase in the amounts of premiums contributed by employed Kenyans, it is not clear why the change was necessary.
We demand that the government suspends the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and reverts to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) until the Social Health Authority puts all necessary measures and structures in place. Let us not sacrifice any more lives just to get money out of Kenyans.
In addition, we call for a radical change in the benefits provided under the SHIF to ensure they match, or at least are better, than the benefits that we enjoyed under the NHIF. It does not make sense to us that Kenyans are now paying more money but are getting less benefits.
4. Make the Most of the School Holidays
On their part, we appeal to parents to take advantage of the two-month holiday to instil life skills, culture of work and sense of responsibility in the young ones and to protect them from those who would destroy their lives. Let us have adequate plans to fully engage the children in productive activities so that they grow to be wholesome and responsible members of the society.
In addition, we encourage parents to regulate the children’s access to social media, while teaching them to use the internet to get worthwhile information and not just for entertainment. Let us not make social media surrogate parents of our children, else we will lose a whole generation.
Further to this, we wish all the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates examinations success, even as we commend the Grade 6 learners who completed their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) last week. We assure you all of our prayers.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, we recognize that God cares about the composition of the food we eat, as He assured in Exodus 23: 25
Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.
We call upon the government to play its role in safeguarding the food that Kenyans eat by putting in place the necessary laws and policies.
May God help us to protect healthy living in our families and nation.
Signed on this 8th day of November, 2024, at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru.
Rev Dr Alphonse Kanga
Chairman, NCCK Nairobi Region
- Published in News
Declare NCDs a National Emergency
Declare NCDs a National Emergency
Press Statement
Preamble
The NCCK Coast Region has held a 2-day forum here at Kilifi PEFA Church to review the state of health of the society with specific focus on the growing pandemic of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The delegates, drawn from Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties, were inspired by the scripture recorded in Exodus 23: 25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Having taken note of the necessity of healthy diets for healthy lives, and appreciating that healthy individuals create a healthy society and healthy nation, we share the following message and recommendations.
- Declare NCDs a National Emergency
According to different government agencies, Non Communicable Diseases are responsible for more than 50% of hospitalizations, and 39% of the deaths in Kenya. The NCDs, which include cancer, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are exerting a heavy burden on Kenyan households, consuming more than 77% of the total health expenditure. On average, it costs a patient approximately KShs 130,000 per year to manage a Non Communicable Disease that does not have complications.
We are concerned that the benefits proposed under the Social Health Authority / Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA/SHIF) are way below this average, and will require patients to pay from their pockets for medical care and medication. We are already seeing this happening.
We call upon the government, upon necessary recommendation from the Ministry of Health, to declare NCDs a national emergency to facilitate keen focus on addressing this emerging national threat.
- Diet Is Essential for Healthy Living
The current rise in prevalence of NCDs has been driven by the change in diet, as persons of all ages increasingly consume foods that are high in salt, high in saturated fats and oils, and high in sugar.
The main source of these unhealthy nutrients are highly processed foods and beverages, and heavily marketed on media and other social structures.
We strongly recommend that necessary laws, policies and regulations are put in place to facilitate regulation of consumption of these nutrients through the following measures:
- Introduce Front of Pack Warning Labels
We call for laws and regulations that will require all food processors to include Front of Pack Warning Labels that are clear to read and are of a specific colour and size for consistency. The warning should clearly state the quantity of salt, sugar and saturated fats and oils in the product. These labels will enable families to make prudent choices when purchasing food items.
- Regulate Advertisement of Unhealthy Foods
We call for urgent measures by national and county governments to regulate the advertisement of unhealthy foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fats and oils, especially those that are targeted at children. Further, incentives should be given to marketers of healthy foods to make it cheaper for them to advertise. Among other elements, the regulations should curtail the placement of advertisements for foods high in the nutrients of concern near schools or during the water-shed hours when children are likely to be consuming media.
Further, we call for an immediate cessation of the use of children or children-like characters in advertisement of unhealthy foods. Let us join in protecting the future generation.
We urge all advertisers to take to heart the warning God has given in Deuteronomy 27: 18
Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road. Then all the people shall say Amen.
- Adopt the Nutrient Profile Model
To facilitate these measures, we call upon the Ministry of Health to work with stakeholders to finalize and adopt the evidence-based Nutrient Profile Model. On our part, we commit to use our structures to sensitize the citizens on the profile model and related regulations once these are put in place.
- Revert to NHIF until the SHIF is ready
Having observed the immense suffering by individual patients and families, we appeal to the government to suspend the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and reverts to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) until the Social Health Authority puts all necessary measures and structures in place. Let us not sacrifice any more lives just to get money out of Kenyans.
In addition, we call for a radical change in the benefits provided under the SHIF to ensure they match, or at least are better, than the benefits that we enjoyed under the NHIF. It does not make sense to us that Kenyans are now paying more money but are getting less benefits.
- Make the Most of the School Holidays
In line with the education calendar, children are now home for the next two months. We encourage fellow parents not to feel overwhelmed, but to instead make adequate plans to fully engage the children in productive activities. This is a prudent opportunity to instil life skills, culture of work and sense of responsibility in the young ones, and to protect them from those who would destroy their lives. Let us also regulate their access to social media and teach them to use the internet to access helpful information, not just for entertainment.
On their part, we wish all the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations success, even as we commend the Grade 6 learners who completed their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) last week. We assure you all of our prayers.
- Conclusion
We conclude by remembering that God holds us responsible for how we feed and take care of our bodies. Any time we consume things that are not helpful to the body, we should always remember the warning of God in 1 Corinthians 3: 16 – 17
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
May God help us to protect healthy living in our families and nation.
Signed on this 6th day of November, 2024, at Kilifi PEFA Church.
Rt Rev Dr Reuben Katite
Vice Chairman, NCCK Coast Region
- Published in News