NCCK Raises Alarm Over Goonism, High Cost of Living, Calls for Reforms Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Gedion Nzyoki 

Front row, from left: Madam Florence, Rev. Jackline Makena, NCCK Chairperson Rev. Dr. Alphonse Kanga, and Rev. Canon Charles Chege, with other delegates from NCCK member churches during a press briefing. (Photo: Courtesy)

• The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has raised concern over worsening governance trends, political intolerance, and growing socio-economic pressures ahead of the 2027 General Election
• The council warned against rising cases of politically sponsored violence and youth exploitation, calling for stronger action from electoral and security institutions to curb impunity
• NCCK also highlighted national challenges including high cost of living, urban flooding, and public sector accountability gaps, urging urgent reforms and responsible leadership

Nairobi, Kenya – May 6, 2026 — The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has raised concern over what it described as a deteriorating state of governance, rising political intolerance, and deepening socio-economic challenges ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon after a two-day regional meeting held at the YMCA Central Conference Hall in Nairobi, delegates drawn from NCCK member churches in Nairobi, Kiambu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera called for urgent reforms to restore public trust, accountability, and democratic integrity.

Led by Council Chairperson Reverend Dr. Alphonse Kanga, the body sharply criticized the growing normalization of politically sponsored violence, terming it a “goon economy” fueled by youth unemployment. Kanga warned that young people are increasingly being exploited by politicians, with reports indicating they are paid as little as KSh 200 to KSh 500 to disrupt meetings or intimidate opponents.

“The NCCK expresses its profound indignation at the entrenchment of ‘goonism’ as a normalized feature of Kenya’s political infrastructure. Our findings reveal a ‘goon economy’ that functions as a tragic employment of last resort for our desperate youth,” Reverend Kanga said.

The church body called on the Registrar of Political Parties to deregister any political outfits found culpable, and urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute political leaders financing such activities.

“We call on the Registrar of Political Parties to take immediate action, including the deregistration of any party found to be recruiting, funding, or deploying organized youth groups for violence,” he added.

The NCCK also raised concern over rising cases of hate speech and incitement among politicians. It challenged institutions including the NCIC, the KNCHR, and the DCI to take firm and visible action against offenders.

The council cautioned that failure by these institutions to act decisively could weaken national unity and encourage a culture of impunity.

Turning to the recent floods in Nairobi, NCCK Youth Representative Rev. Jackline Makena described the situation as a recurring tragedy, noting that at least 66 people have died since March due to drowning and electrocution.

“The current suffering of Nairobi’s citizens is a grave violation of human dignity and a direct consequence of systemic urban planning failures. It is unacceptable that critical drainage infrastructure often exists only on paper, while the lives of the vulnerable are treated as expendable,” Makena said.

The council blamed poor urban planning, stalled infrastructure projects, and political neglect for the crisis. It called for a comprehensive and transparent overhaul of Nairobi’s drainage systems, emphasizing long-term engineering solutions that respect riparian boundaries and natural water paths.

“We call for an immediate, transparent overhaul of Nairobi’s drainage systems, moving beyond ‘temporary action plans’ to permanent, engineered solutions that respect riparian boundaries and natural water paths,” she added.

On healthcare, NCCK expressed alarm over alleged financial mismanagement in the transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA). Citing findings by the Auditor General, the council pointed to a lack of state ownership over a multi-billion-shilling digital system, which it says has enabled significant financial leakages.

The council noted reports of KSh 11 billion lost to fraudulent claims within six months, warning that such losses are crippling public health facilities. It also highlighted Kenya’s high maternal mortality rate, with up to 6,000 deaths annually from preventable causes, calling it a failure of governance and accountability.

The council further decried the high cost of living, linking it to soaring fuel prices and inflation. Referencing data from the KNBS, it noted that food and fuel costs remain the primary drivers of economic hardship.

It warned that millions of Kenyans are facing food insecurity, with over 30 percent reportedly surviving on less than KSh 1,300 per month. The council urged the government to reduce taxes on petroleum products, cut wasteful expenditure, and invest in agricultural subsidies to stabilize food prices.

On electoral preparedness, the body, through its Vice Chair for Nairobi Region Reverend Canon Charles Chege, called for transparency and merit-based operations at the IEBC. While acknowledging the appointment of new commissioners, it warned that public trust in the institution remains fragile.

“The NCCK insists on a transparent, merit-based operation of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to safeguard our democracy against the threat of state capture,” Chege said.

The council demanded the reversal of involuntary voter transfers and accountability over alleged breaches in the biometric voter database. It also criticized early political campaigns, urging the IEBC to enforce electoral laws strictly, warning that failure to do so raises doubts about the commission’s ability to manage credible elections in 2027.

Internally, the church body announced new measures aimed at maintaining political neutrality within the church. These include barring politicians from addressing congregants during services, treating all political donations as ordinary offerings without special recognition, and ensuring clergy remain nonpartisan.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to justice, accountability, and human dignity, pledging to continue holding leaders to account while providing space for national dialogue.