The issues the KCCB bishops touched on included the Social Health Authority (SHA) rollout challenges, extra-judicial killings, and rampant abductions.
A section of Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) bishops have called out their counterparts at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) over their public criticism of President William Ruto’s government in their address on Thursday, November 14.
Speaking during the death anniversary of the Kilifi North MP’s father, ACK Bishop Reuben Katite on Sunday, November 17 argued that it was disrespectful for the bishops to air out the issues the government needs to deal with, in the public eye instead of deliberating them in conversations with the President.
The issues the KCCB bishops touched on included the Social Health Authority (SHA) rollout challenges, extra-judicial killings, and rampant abductions.
ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit speaks during a media briefing in Nairobi on September 26, 2024. /PHOTO
“Even religious leaders who know the Bible well stood and said they don’t think this government is chosen by God and they know very well that leadership comes from God,” he stated.
“Instead of praying for the things that are going wrong to be corrected they choose to say that this government is not even chosen by God. How can that be?”
The concerns were echoed by political leaders who were present at the occasion, including South Mugirango Member of Parliament (MP) Sylvanus Osoro who advised the religious leaders to guide the congregants and also politicians as well, encouraging them to correct when necessary.
“Our leadership is worldly but yours comes from above and is for leading the soul. If we go wrong just correct us in a loving way,” he advised.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, also in attendance, also acknowledged the Bishops’ role in shaping the political scene but also stressed that “Bishops, the respect that the world gives you, if you see a naked man, don’t call the neighbours like what was done recently.”
During the press conference on Thursday, the KCCB bishops boldly accused President Ruto’s administration of broken promises and failing to listen to Kenyans’ grievances.
They also turned on his government, expressing its appallment for the blatant recurring incidents of reported abductions, disappearances, torture and killings of Kenyans, further lamenting the increasing murder of women, all of which have since caused great consternation, anger and disgust.
The bishops particularly took fault with the unkept promises by President Ruto’s government, stating that the culture of lies is swiftly replacing the integrity and respect that Kenyans deserve.
“Basically, it seems that truth does not exist, and if it does, it is only what the Government says. Unfortunately, it seems that the Kenyans have helplessly tolerated the lies told to them constantly by the politicians.
“Kenyans must learn not to applaud or validate the lies that the politicians tell them but rather must resolve to seek and be led by the truth,” they added.
The following day, President Ruto, while responding to the bishops during his speech at Tangaza University, asked members of the clergy to be wary of what they open on in the public domain, joining government officials who had slammed the bishops for spreading disinformation.
The Catholic Bishops through the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops during a press conference on November 14, 2024. /PHOTO