Church leaders have called for an extension of President Uhuru Kenyatta's term once the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to amend the constitution is passed.
Speaking to the media on November 11, the group of bishops under the Kenya Council of Churches and Ministries (KCCAM) explained that the move was necessary to ensure BBI was implemented effectively.
"Even if it means extending the term of the government to create room for debate and building bridges. We need enough time for everybody to participate and feel represented to avoid an us-versus-them scenario," Bishop Mark Kariuki stated.
The church leaders said their views have been ignored in the draft BBI report.
They made it clear that the church was opposed to the report in its current form as none of their recommendations were included in the final draft.
In the joint statement, the leaders threatened to engage in politics during the 2022 general elections if their proposals were not included.
"We made our presentations but they have not being captured. Don't forget that according to the last census we had an 82% Christian base,
"The church will come together and say that we are going to present a candidate in every constituency who will have the interest of the church. We have the capacity and the ability to do that," Bishop Kariuki asserted.
He further asked the President and ODM Party leader Raila Odinga to convene a national delegates conference in order to address thorny issues in the BBI report.
In 2005, the Pentecostals marshaled their members alongside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to reject the Bomas Constitution draft during the November referendum.
The church rejected the draft because it provided for abortion and Islamic Kadhi courts. Church leaders such as Bishop Margaret Wanjiru have also successfully run and won political office in the past.
KCCAM Chairman Kepha Omae echoed the Bishop Kariuki's sentiments adding that the church was ready to present its proposed amendments regarding constitutional changes.
The move by the leaders came a day after Raila stated that the BBI report presented at the Bomas of Kenya on October 26, had little room for any form of additions or corrections.
"There is little chance of significant new ideas being brought into the BBI document ahead of the referendum except for editorial work," he stated.
Watch a clip from the church leaders' press conference below:
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