NCCK raises alarm over early campaigns, electoral tensions

NCCK Central Region Vice-Chairperson Bishop Stephen Njogu during a clergy meeting in Kirinyaga on May 14, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

The National Council of Churches of Kenya Central region has warned that early political campaigns, hate speech and rising electoral tensions risk tainting credibility of the 2027 poll.

 The church leaders said the country risks sliding into political instability if leaders continue prioritising campaigns over service delivery more than a year before the polls.

 The leaders spoke during a meeting that brought together clergy from Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Embu, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties.

 NCCK Central region vice chairperson Bishop Stephen Njogu said the growing culture of premature campaigns is dividing communities and exposing young people to political manipulation and violence.

 Njogu particularly cited the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election slated for July 16, 2026, saying the contest should not be turned into a political battlefield for supremacy and political realignments at the expense of Kenyans.

 “With the General Election only 14 months away, we are deeply concerned that politicians at all levels are neglecting service delivery to focus on premature campaigns,” Njogu said.

 The clergy accused political leaders of fuelling tensions through hate speech, vote-buying and the mobilisation of youths to intimidate opponents during campaigns.

 NCCK called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and security agencies to take firm action against politicians and parties engaging in electoral malpractice.

 The church leaders said agencies responsible for safeguarding democracy must ensure all candidates are properly vetted to allow only leaders of integrity to contest seats in the 2027 elections and the Ol Kalou by-election.

 They further urged security agencies and the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate and prosecute politicians using youths to cause violence and chaos during political activities.

 Njogu said the country cannot afford a repeat of divisive politics that undermine national unity and distract leaders from addressing challenges affecting Kenyans.

 He warned that the increasing focus on politics has contributed to poor service delivery, corruption and the neglect of critical sectors such as healthcare.

 “It is a sad reality that counties are experiencing increasing corruption characterised by the misuse of public resources, weak accountability systems and declining public trust in institutions,” Njogu said.

 The clergy urged the relevant agencies to ensure those convicted of corruption are barred from contesting for public office, even when appeals are ongoing, arguing that integrity among leaders is key to restoring public confidence in governance institutions.

 NCCK Kirinyaga county chairperson Rev Perminus Gathaiya said residents continue to suffer because of poor healthcare services in some county referral hospitals.

 Gathaiya said some facilities are grappling with shortages of medicine, broken dialysis machines, poor sanitation and inadequate water supply, leaving patients struggling to access quality treatment.

 “It is heartbreaking that patients are forced to seek treatment in hospitals that lack basic drugs and working equipment. Healthcare should never be treated as a privilege for a few people,” he said.

 He also called for an urgent review of the Social Health Insurance Fund following persistent complaints from patients over poor services despite paying premiums.

 Youth representative from Laikipia county Peter Njoroge raised concern over rising alcoholism and drug abuse among young people, warning that many youths are becoming vulnerable to political manipulation and violence.

 Njoroge said many shopping centres and villages are increasingly becoming centres of alcohol and drug addiction, leading to school dropouts, unemployment, crime and family breakdowns.

 “Our youths are not supposed to become tools of destruction and violence. They are the future of this country and must be protected from drugs and political manipulation,” he said.

 He urged young people to reject divisive politics and instead register as voters and participate peacefully in democratic processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

 NCCK Central region women’s representative Susan Kimiru also cautioned religious leaders against allowing politicians to turn churches into campaign platforms.

 Kimiru said churches must remain neutral places of worship and unity where leaders can speak the truth without political influence.

 The clergy urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and demand accountability, peaceful politics and credible elections for the sake of future generations.