President William Ruto has been slapped with five demands including the return of NHIF. The demands come amidst serious prevailing matters on the transition of NHIF to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the impeachment process of his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The demands were issued by religious leaders from the National Council of Churches (NCCK) of Kenya which they want him to effect immediately.
The Council composed of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims convened at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, to review the state of the Nation.
Following, the current political atmosphere and issues leaning toward ethnic lines which tend to destroy the peace and Justice we enjoy the NCCK now requests the president to act on several demands that they have outlined in their press release.
“We now demand that the Executive, the legislature, and Judiciary dispense Justice to the people of Kenya,” the NCCK press release cited.
Further, the NCCK echoed, ” In the National anthem, Kenyans persistently declare that Justice is the bedrock of the nation by declaring it to be the shield and defender. The nation cannot dwell in peace unity and liberty without Justice.”
The Five Demands to Ruto
NCCK demands that Ruto immediately concludes the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners Selection Panel, and have it facilitated to carry out its mandate in the shortest time possible.
We especially call on the Speaker of the National Assembly to appoint a representative of the Parliamentary Service Commission, and the Political Parties Tribunal to resolve the dispute touching on a representative of Azimio Coalition without further delay.
Moreover, the third demand calls on Ruto to cancel all the contracts that have been issued to Adani-related companies that have been or are seeking to be entrenched in the health sector. In addition, those entrenched in electricity transmission, and management of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Also Read: NCCK Urged MPs to Focus on Service Delivery Rather Than Personal Gain
The Council explained that the Adani-related companies are not investors to the extent that they are not bringing in money into the country and are therefore seemingly merely a front for companies of Kenyan officials.
They further reminded government officials that across the world, countries that engaged Adani-related companies, which include India, Australia, and Bangladesh, are today crying and seeking to cancel the same.
Other Demands
The third demand touched on the seeking that Parliament must without delay withdraw all the anti-people bills that have been tabled.
These include all the nine agriculture-related bills, as well as the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2024 which seeks to extend the term of elected leaders from five to seven years.
Furthermore, they urged Parliamentarians to serve Kenyans or resign to go and serve their other interests.
Fourth, the country should revert to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), coupled with a suspension of the implementation of the Social Health Authority / Social Health Insurance Fund laws until the transition is made seamless, and the new model facilitates justice for Kenyans.
Five, NCCK demands that the new university funding model be suspended to allow for further consultations and to ensure justice and fairness to all students.
Also Read: Catholic Church Stance as Gachagua’s Impeachment Gains Pace
NCCK on Gachagua’s Impeachment
At the same time, NCCK cleared the air on the Deputy President’s impeachment motion. The Council cited that whereas the constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for the impeachment of the deputy president, this is the first time in the history of the nation for such a process is being undertaken.
Furthermore, the council called upon the Senate to uphold justice in the matter, bearing in mind that their decision would set a precedence for the nation.
On the same note, they call upon President Ruto to speak on the impeachment matter. Additionally, they cited that this is a matter that involves his principal assistant, and one that draws a national interest, therefore, the Kenyans have the right to know his position as the President on the matter.
Nevertheless, they urged all Kenyans to remain calm and peaceful regardless of the outcome of the impeachment process.
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