1. What are the most burning issues you are facing regarding the role of the churches in your society?

Pressing issues in Kenya include governance where the church is trying to come to terms with multi-party politics and democracy. Having championed the struggle for justice and democracy, the church finds it difficult to address the non delivery of services by multi-party democracy. The last elections are highly contested and were of course violent, resulting in the loss of many lives and destruction of property. Related to the slow pace of entrenching democracy and democratic ethos, is the issue of ethnicity in the political sphere that threatens to fragment society.

A second issue is one of corruption and lack of integrity by the leadership. Corruption as a cancer, is pervasive in society and denies majority of the people possibilities of improved life. Over the years the society seems to succumb to corruption especially institutions that should be at the forefront of fighting it for example, the judiciary and the police. As the church seeks to combat the vice it is a matter that touches on the teaching of the church and how the faithful members live out their faith.

A third major one is poverty and the possibility that with climate change and economic crisis,  the Millennium Development Goals may not be attained in 2015, and more millions of people are condemned to sub-human standards. This is a crisis that my church tries to address through its development work. At the same time it is evident that past gains are washed away every day as many more become poor.

Another concern in my conuntry are the diseases that are increasingly becoming resistant to drugs and claiming more lives like Malaria, TB and HIV and AIDS.

2. How can the fellowship of member churches support the churches in the situation you are facing?

The role of the fellowship of churches support to my church, has been crucial and will remain so in the future. Firstly, it is essential that advocacy is stepped up at the global level on matters of climate change and poverty, and resources as well as approaches to development challenged. International institutions should be called to be accountable and transparent in their relationships and policies.

Secondly, our development paradigm of modernism that has subjugated creation stands judged and the fellowship of churches needs to give attention to the integrity of creation and push for a paradigm shift at Copenhagen.  Thirdly, the sharing of experiences on Truth, Justice and Reconciliation would be useful for Kenyan churches, as they address issues of impunity as well as experiences with the International Criminal Court in the Hague.  Fourthly, visits of Living Letters and workshops with member churches to pray together and reflect through issues as well as share experiences will be essential. Finally, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs as a public voice of the fellowship should be heard loud and clear on these issues.

3. In which regard and how can your experience enrich and be of relevance to the fellowship?

The experience of the Kenyan churches in areas of civic education, and the role of the church as the people's advocate would be and has already been useful to other churches in the region.  Furthermore the dilemma of being a champion of justice and peace and later finding herself compromised with the powers that be, would also be informative, especially as one considers how from an inter-religious perspective, the Church is restoring its voice and legitimacy.