By Eddah Waithaka
Kenya is facing a critical problem as its youth, who make up 79% of the total population, are being deprived of essential education, life skills and employment opportunities. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to the nation’s future, with the risk of social chaos looming large if immediate action is not taken to address these challenges.
National Council of Churches of Kenya is therefore calling upon all institutions and leaders to focus more than 80 percent of their efforts and resources on empowering the youth to have dignified livelihoods and to be equipped for leadership.
The first step in this process is listening to the youth and creating platforms for them to shape the nation they desire to live in.
Also Read:https://switchmedianews.wordpress.com/2024/06/28/do-not-sign-it-into-law-ncck-calls-on-the-government-to-sign-the-finance-bill-into-law/
Therefore, NCCK, commits to:
- Establish centres of excellence for youth to acquire skills and opportunities to create pathways for dignified livelihoods and the creation of resilient communities.
- Develop youth-led, youth-owned and youth-focused programmes of action based on the principle of “nothing for the youth without the youth” in each of it’s member churches.
- Offer to organize people-driven multi-sectoral economic forums at local levels, culminating in a national economic conference where Kenyans will analyse the current economic state of the nation, identify what ails us and find solutions for a better future.
- Review and improve budgets and programmes to increase resources for youth work and youth programmes in their churches, and continue to lead the way in building the capacity of youth and other members of the church for increased civic participation for greater public accountability.
Furthermore, it is of paramount importance that the political leadership listens to the people in order to respect their will in shaping the future of the nation.
In this regard, the National Council of Churches of Kenya mourns with deep sadness the deaths of dozens of Kenyans killed by the police during demonstrations.
“We pass our condolences to the families that have been bereaved by these unnecessary deaths, and are praying for quick recovery for all those injured. Further, we find it heartless, insensitive and disdainful for the Members of Parliament to have ignored the will of the people by passing the Finance Bill 2024. By this action, Parliament erased its legitimacy in the eyes of the voters,” said NCCK.
Also the Council calls upon the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a special seating for the members can respond to the Memorandum by the President so that the Finance Bill 2024 is repealed.
The Council has also organized a 7-day mourning period with its member churches to remember and honour the young heroes who died while exercising their right to participate in the governance of the nation.
The days of mourning will commence tomorrow Friday June 28 and culminate in memorial services in the churches on Sunday July 7, 2024.
