PRESS RELEASE
BY NYANZA COUNCIL OF CHURCH LEADERS.
April 8, 2010.
AS EVANGELICAL Church leaders from Nyanza Province we would like to take this early opportunity to thank the 10th parliament for taking a grand move by passing the proposed constitution which all Kenyans we know want.
As clerics speaking under the auspices of the Nyanza council; of Church leaders who represent over 270 Denominations in the Region may we at the same time state that thousands of innocent Kenyans have died or maimed in the quest for a new constitution.
The fact that thousands of Kenyans suffered fighting for reforms and a new constitution can not be gain said.
As Church leaders from this part of the world, may we state in the interim that we distance ourselves from a group pf Bishops and church leaders who are out to scuttle the review process hence denying us a new constitution.
Their aim is at most aimed at denying us a new constitution which in arguably our inalienable right.
Kenyans need the new baby is borne as soon as 2010 with out eyes trained don Voting Yes at the impending referendum on the constitution.
When we attained our independence in 1963 there was a great dispute about a new constitution. We know out leaders were divided on various lines of the political divide.
There was a group led by hard line KADU supporters pitting that against those on the other side of the divide under KANU.We are aware that both were fighting for a constitution for this country.
Our late leader namely Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Tom Mboya together with Argwings Kodhek and James Gichuru,Gikonyo Kiano hard stances.
However it was note worthy that they put their heads together with fellow colleagues such as Ronald Ngala, masinde Muliro, and Daniel Arap Moi and softened their hard stances which enabled Kenya to have a new constitution from Lancaster House.
The rallying theme there was that amendments could be made later once a new constitution was in place.
Noteworthy is the fact that the constitution they came with had a Senate, A Regional Assembly and post of a Prime Minister, and a clause for multiple parties.
But later on through the very amendments the fonder father of the nation Jomo Kenyatta was enacted as above the law and abolished the Regional Assemblies and the Senate together with the Post of Prime Minister. When former President Moi took over the reins of power in 1978 from Kenyatta, he pushed parliament into making Kenya a de jure one party state.
Moi introduced repressive laws which brought untold suffering upon many Kenyans. It is these respect that. We appeal to out religious colleagues and other leaders alike to put their guns down since we need a new constitution.
Amendments, we repeat can be made later hence the need to save our baby who is about to be borne.
SIGNED BY:
1. Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede. – Chairman
2. ArchBishop Julius Otieno Oloo
3. Bishop Jasper Ogello Wadegu
4. Bishop Barack Agalo
5. Bishop John Ongong’a
6. Bishop Jason Gor Mirambe
7. Bishop Richard Odongo
8. Bishop Allan Ojwang Iro.
9. Rev. Joshua Atieno.