The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has urged the government to rethink the finance bill to reduce the country’s high cost of living.
Speaking after a two-day induction at Gitoro pastoral centre in Meru town, NCCK Upper Eastern Region Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Nicholas Mutwiri said that the government should remove the oppressive and suppressive taxes that will further increase the cost of living.
Taxation, he said, should be considerate of the citizens’ needs and not burden them as well as their business enterprises.
He said the Church’s stand is to advocate for peace and their position remains that the finance bill 2024 should inspire hope for better living standards and not bring frustrations.
“People together form the nation. Therefore, it is important to make laws, plans, and policies that focus on uplifting the living standards of the people,” said Revered Mutwiri.
On the transition of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Reverend Mutwiri said that the change of the name should not necessarily mean a change in the delivery of services adding the initiative should benefit the people and not slice the benefits offered by the previous system.
He also said that the government needs to work with church leaders in the fight against illicit brews.
“Alcohol and drug abuse have become rampant in many parts of the country thus affecting families, leading to household fights and broken families.”
“The lost belong to the church for deliverance but before that, the government needs to tighten its belt in the fight against illicit brews,” said Rev. Mutwiri.
Meanwhile, the Council called on the government and stakeholders to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and accord justice to the country’s constitution.
“The delay in the reconstitution of IEBC has led to some electoral areas remaining without elected representatives. Failing to reconstitute the IEBC for electoral dignity is denying the citizens the right to have elected representatives and also their right to vote is infringed,” said Reverend Mutwiri.
By Dickson Mwiti
