EAK Elects New Leadership, Condemns Political Violence and Calls for Economic Accountability
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, June 19, 2026 — The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has elected a new leadership team and issued a strong call for righteous leadership, economic accountability, national unity, and an end to political violence as the country navigates growing social and economic challenges.
Speaking during its Annual General Meeting held on Friday, the alliance, which brings together evangelical churches, Christian organizations, and institutions across the country, said Kenya stands at a critical moment that requires responsible leadership, prudent management of public resources, and collective action from all sectors of society.
The meeting also marked a significant leadership transition within the organization. EAK paid tribute to outgoing Board Chairman Bishop Philip Kitoto for what it described as faithful service and visionary leadership that strengthened the evangelical movement during his tenure.
The alliance elected Bishop Calisto Odede as its new National Chairman. Other officials elected include Bishop Dr. Robert Langat as Vice Chairman, Rev. Lydia Besseling Wanjiah as Honorary Treasurer, and Rev. Kepha Nyandega as General Secretary. Rev. Wanjiah takes over from Rev. Ambrose Nyangau, whose tenure as National Treasurer has come to an end.
The alliance expressed confidence that the new leadership team will strengthen the unity and effectiveness of the evangelical community while advancing its mission across the country.
At the same time, EAK raised concern over what it termed a worrying rise in organized violence, political intimidation, destruction of property, and the use of criminal gangs to disrupt lawful activities.
The church body strongly condemned all forms of goonism, political violence, and incitement, warning that such actions undermine democracy, erode public trust, and threaten national stability.
It called on the National Police Service and other security agencies to act firmly, professionally, and impartially against those responsible, regardless of their political affiliations or social status.
As the country prepares to enter a new financial year, the alliance also challenged the government to embrace fiscal discipline and ensure public resources are used responsibly.
According to EAK, many Kenyans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, including higher expenses for food, housing, healthcare, education, energy, and transport. The alliance said government spending should reflect the realities facing ordinary citizens.
The organization urged the government to reduce wasteful expenditure, intensify the fight against corruption, strengthen accountability in public institutions, improve service delivery in key sectors such as health and education, and introduce targeted interventions to support vulnerable households.
It further called for economic stimulus measures aimed at creating jobs, supporting small businesses, boosting agriculture, and empowering young entrepreneurs.
On education, EAK welcomed government efforts to improve the teacher-learner ratio through the recruitment of nearly 100,000 teachers and acknowledged ongoing reforms in tertiary education.
However, the alliance urged authorities to fast-track the release of funding for government-sponsored students to ensure uninterrupted learning and improve access to quality education for all learners.
The church body said the country’s future depends heavily on the stability, quality, and accessibility of its education system, emphasizing the need for continued investment in the sector.
Beyond government action, EAK challenged Christians across the country to play an active role in nation-building by promoting integrity, strengthening families, caring for vulnerable members of society, and participating in efforts aimed at national transformation.
The alliance said the challenges facing Kenya cannot be solved by government alone but require the collective responsibility of citizens, institutions, communities, and faith organizations.
It also called on churches nationwide to dedicate time to prayer for peace, justice, righteous leadership, economic recovery, and spiritual renewal.
Despite the challenges facing the country, EAK expressed optimism about Kenya’s future, saying the nation has the capacity to overcome its difficulties through Godly leadership, responsible stewardship, unity, and collective action.
