It’s too early to say Yes or No to BBI, say church leaders

Church leaders called on church leaders to avoid giving politicians the pulpit to speak in favour or against the BBI. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Church leaders are rooting for consensus on the push to amend the Constitution under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Addressing the press yesterday after a two-day National Christian Conference, the church leaders said they neither support nor oppose the constitutional amendment process under BBI.

The conference, held at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, was themed, “Informed and Participatory Decision-Making on Constitutional Amendments”.

It was convened by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (KCCB-CJPC) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) under the auspices of the Ecumenical Civic Engagement Programme (ECEP).

In a statement read by Rt Reverend John Obala Owaa, the chairman of KCCB-CJPC, the leaders said there was a need for dialogue and consensus on issues raised by Kenyans.

“The Conference has taken cognizance of the sentiments expressed by a cross-section of Kenyans with regard to the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020. Recognising the importance of being involved in any discussions and processes that touch on or affect the Constitution, we restate the importance of dialogue and consensus building. The Constitution is too important to be left to political leaders alone,” the clergy said in a statement signed by Reverend Canon Chris Kinyanjui, NCCK General Secretary and Rt Reverend Owaa.

They added: “Our position remains that it’s too early for us to say 'Yes or No' to the amendment Bill, and instead remain committed to promoting consensus-building on the referendum so that it promotes unity and peace in the nation, not division and competition. Consensus should lead to a re-opening of the Bill to accommodate concerns on provisions that may claw back on gains Kenyans have made.”

Rev Kinyanjui said it’s not too late to have dialogue even if signatures have been collected and handed over to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for verification.

They also called on church leaders to avoid giving politicians the pulpit to speak in favour or against the BBI.

“We are asking our colleagues... to resist giving politicians a platform in the church to support or oppose the BBI since the period between now and elections is very sensitive. It’s good that churches guide and support their followers on this issue and deny politicians opportunity to come and preach divisive politics to the congregation. Let the church become a place of refuge,” said Rev Kinyanjui.