- The church’s concerns come at a time plans are in top gear to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with over 250 MPs having appended their signatures.
- The church said it’s been only two years since the President and his DP came to office and they should prioritise delivering on promises they made to the public.
Image: HANDOUT
The Quaker Church of Africa has called on leaders to end discussions on the impeachment of senior officials terming it a distraction from more pressing issues facing the country.
In a statement, the church said leaders should at this point focus on addressing key concerns related to the country’s stability instead of being obsessed with removing senior officials from office.
The church’s concerns come at a time when plans are in top gear to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with over 250 MPs reported to have appended their signatures in support of the tabling of the motion on Tuesday next week.
The church reminded the leaders behind the ouster motion that the DP and President William Ruto were elected as a team.
The church said that it’s been only two years since the President and his DP came to office and they should prioritise delivering on promises they made to the public and cease internal political conflicts.
“This ongoing debate is seen as a distraction from critical issues like corruption, which must be prioritised to ensure the country’s stability. We call for immediate efforts to combat corruption to restore Kenya’s national dignity and foster development.”
The church regretted that numerous corruption cases have been brought to light yet no meaningful action has been taken.
The church’s leadership further took issue with the government’s over-reliance on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), saying this risks deepening economic inequality and creating an unjust economic system.
They in particular called for the cancellation of the Adani JKIA takeover deal and advocated instead, for the use of tax revenues to develop the airport.
The secretive nature of the deal, according to the church, harms Kenya’s global image and only benefits a few individuals.
The church also took issue with the planned introduction of a bill to regulate religion and religious freedoms granted by the Constitution.
The Religious Organisations Bill, of 2024, provides a regulatory framework, tough conditions for registration and harsh punishment for rogue operators.
“Reconsider stance on churches and the introduction of harmful legislative bills. These bills serve as distractions from the core issues of corruption and governance,” the church said and further condemned the culture of impunity in the country.
“The church calls for an immediate end to the unlawful abductions and torture of innocent people. All individuals must be brought to justice through legal channels, not through extrajudicial means.”
Director of Friends United Meeting Africa, Dr John Muhanji, said the statement reflects the core values of peace, integrity and respect for the rule of law held by the Quaker Church.
“We stand in solidarity with the Kenyan people in our commitment to social justice and the wellbeing of our community,” he said.