Central region churches to hold 7 days of mourning for protest victims

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) in the Central Region is marking seven days of mourning for victims of the anti-government protests and is set to hold memorial services on Sunday inline with the Saba Saba commemorations.

NCCK Central Region Chairman Bishop Dr. Timothy Gichere made the announcement on Tuesday saying that in addition to the commemoration service slated for July 7, 2024, which honours fallen heroes and freedom fighters in pre-colonial history, this year’s Saba Saba celebrations will also remember those who have died in the ongoing protests.

Bishop Gichere invited the public to grace the services that will be held in all Central region’s churches, as he also condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the ongoing demonstrations.

“It is with deep sadness that we send condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones due to police brutality in the last two weeks. We are also praying for a quick recovery for all those injured,” he said.

“To further honor their sacrifice, we are continuing with marking 7 days of mourning that will culminate in memorial services in all our churches on Sunday July 7, 2024. We welcome all Kenyans to join us as we mark Saba Saba in the churches honouring all heroes and freedom fighters.”

The statement came after a two-day NCCK induction workshop held at Bethany House, Sagana, for officials elected to the council’s committees in Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Laikipia counties.

The Bishop appealed to the President William Ruto-led administration to listen to the cries and pleas of Kenyans, underscoring that the time for “chest-thumping and bravado is over.”

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the government over its continued adamancy in addressing the protests, noting that they should have already devised a way to address the issues raised by demonstrators by now.

“The Bible in Proverbs 15: 22 points out that ‘plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.’ It is of absolute importance that in reshaping our nation, we listen to each other,” said the NCCK Central Chair.

“In this regard, we call upon all leaders, especially political, religious and social, to keenly listen to the people so as to discern and honour their will. The season of chest-thumping and bravado is over. We find it quite unfortunate that the young people of Kenya are getting into a second week of demonstrations without their issues being heard or addressed comprehensively.”

The Bishop further expressed the NCCK’s support for the demonstrations, reiterating that the youth who make up more than 70 per cent of the country’s population are well within their democratic rights.

He thus condemned the recent killings and violence meted out to protesters by the police, opining that the officers should instead provide security to the protesters as stipulated in the law.

“Over the last two weeks, the youth of Kenya have come out to exercise their right to peaceful picketing as they contribute to the reshaping of our nation. We demand that the government stops curtailing this right by using the police to violently break up peaceful demonstrations,” stated Bishop Gichere.

“We reiterate that the role of the police this week is to escort and provide security to the Kenyans who have given notice of picketing in different parts of the country.”

At the same time, he urged the National Police Service to cease from imposing fear to demonstrators through unlawful arrests and abductions reported in the past weeks.

He tasked Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to publicly account for all the people arrested during the protests and those in detention.

“The use of excessive force that includes shooting demonstrators must be stopped. Further, all the demonstrators who were arrested last week should be unconditionally released since they were exercising their constitutional rights,” Bishop Gichere said.

“We in addition call upon the Inspector General to publicly account for all individuals who have been abducted or clandestinely arrested by the security agents. This trend of imposing fear on the people must be ended.”