NCCK Calls for Action on Cost of Living, Floods and Political Violence

Photo credits: Walter Arose

In Summary

• The National Council of Churches of Kenya has accused political leaders of fueling violence, hate speech and early campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
• Church leaders also raised alarm over the rising cost of living, deadly flooding in Nairobi and alleged corruption within the Social Health Authority system.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya has issued a strong warning over the worsening state of governance, economic hardship and political intolerance in Kenya, calling for urgent reforms to protect wananchi ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a regional delegates’ meeting held at the YMCA Central Conference Hall, the church leaders said Kenya is facing a dangerous political and economic crisis driven by impunity, corruption and neglect of ordinary citizens.

The council strongly condemned the growing culture of political violence and the use of hired youth gangs to disrupt meetings and intimidate opponents. NCCK described the trend as a “goon economy” fueled by unemployment and poverty among young people, warning that politicians are exploiting desperate youth for selfish political interests. The church urged the Registrar of Political Parties and the Director of Public Prosecutions to take firm action against political leaders accused of financing violence and organized chaos.

The council also demanded immediate action against politicians spreading hate speech and incitement, accusing state institutions of failing to enforce the law. NCCK challenged agencies responsible for national cohesion, justice and investigations to prosecute leaders promoting division and ethnic hostility before the country slides into deeper instability.

On the economy, NCCK said millions of Kenyans are struggling to survive due to the rising cost of food, fuel and basic commodities. The church noted that soaring fuel prices and heavy taxation have increased transport and production costs, pushing essentials such as maize flour, cooking oil and vegetables beyond the reach of many families. According to the council, the worsening economic pressure is eroding the dignity of ordinary Kenyans and deepening poverty across the country.

The church further criticized the government over recurrent flooding in Nairobi, saying poor urban planning and stalled drainage projects have exposed residents to unnecessary suffering and deaths. NCCK said the flooding crisis reflects years of institutional failure and misuse of public resources, with drainage infrastructure either neglected or existing only on paper. The council called for long-term engineered drainage solutions and protection of riparian land to prevent recurring disasters.

Concerns were also raised over the rollout of the Social Health Authority, with the church questioning accountability in the management of the health system. NCCK cited reports of billions of shillings lost through fraudulent claims and warned that corruption within the healthcare sector is denying vulnerable Kenyans access to quality treatment. The church said many hospitals remain understaffed and under-equipped despite promises of universal health coverage.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, NCCK urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency and accountability in voter management and electoral processes. The council opposed early political campaigns and warned that failure to control illegal campaigning could damage trust in future elections.

The church also announced new measures aimed at protecting pulpits from political influence. Under the new guidelines, politicians attending church services will be treated like ordinary worshippers, barred from addressing congregants inside churches and prevented from turning donations into political publicity events.

NCCK said it will continue pushing for justice, accountability and protection of human dignity as Kenyans grapple with economic hardship, political tension and growing public frustration.