The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) wants the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report recently adopted by Parliament to be made public to Kenyans before it is implemented.
NCCK on Tuesday said all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and is exercised either directly or through democratically elected representatives.
"For this reason, it is of absolute necessity that the Report of the National Dialogue Committee be taken to the people of Kenya for validation before it is implemented," NCCK Nairobi Chairman Rev Dr Alphonse Kanga said.
Kanga said Kenyans have a basic right to know and agree with the recommendations made by the NADCO.
The Council termed it as deceptive if the National Assembly unilaterally implements decisions that radically affect the governance and electoral environment of Kenyans.
"We call upon Hon Moses Wetangula and Hon Amason Kingi, the speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, to have the report published in a manner accessible to all Kenyans," Kanga said.
Additionally, NCCK seeks that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee hold sittings in Counties to receive feedback from Kenyans, and thereafter review the Parliamentary Bills attendant to the NADCO report to reflect the wishes of the people.
Kanga said the Nadco report comes with a massive review of the Constitution.
"It is therefore a very major red flag for Kenyans that The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2023 drafted as part of the NADCO report is seeking to amend 25 articles and add 6 new ones in the Constitution of Kenya 2010," NCCK said.
"It is our firm position that any debate about amending the Constitution in Parliament must be preceded by robust discourse by the citizens of Kenya."
The council also urged the State to hasten the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"We reiterate that the failure to constitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is breaching the rights of the people of Kenya,"
Further, NCCK called upon all Kenyans to actively read and comment on the 9 points presented in the Nadco report and demand that electoral reforms be focused on improving governance, accountability and legitimacy.
