Nyanza-based religious leaders threatened to rally Kenyans for civil disobedience in response to alleged tyranny and mismanagement by President William Ruto’s administration.
The leaders emphasized that the country was moving in the wrong direction.
They also urged the President to implement a slew of measures to solve Kenyans’ grievances, failing which they would rally their followers in civil disturbances.
“The nation has witnessed the worst cases of oppression in recent times, some orchestrated through commercialization of political leadership with the opposition voices virtually eclipsed in Nyanza region after the creation of the broad-based government,” read their statement in part.
On November 18, the Anglican Church issued another statement, stating that it completely supports the declaration given by Catholic bishops.
The bishops had accused the government of failing to reimburse the debt due by the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to faith-based organizations that maintain medical facilities.
Church leaders from the Nyanza region joined other religious leaders, including Catholic Bishops, in condemning the government.
The Nyanza clergy outlined eight irreducible requests, all geared at improving Kenyans’ welfare.
Almost all of the demands were raised by the Catholic Bishops.
It comes just four days after the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) issued a statement criticizing Ruto’s administration for alleged systemic corruption, over-taxation, and broken promises.
It comes as several religious leaders have chosen sides, either supporting or opposing the government.
On Sunday, the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) bishops chastised their Catholic counterparts for openly criticizing the Kenya Kwanza Government on Thursday, describing it as disrespectful.
They highlighted that there were better ways to express their issues respectfully than publicly criticizing President Ruto.
They also expressed concern over the government’s decision to increase the number of missionary work permits in the nation, which they claimed would limit their operations.
They also questioned the delays in reconstituting the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), despite multiple appeals from various stakeholders.
During the press event, the bishops highlighted concerns over the bill to extend the term limit of elected officials from five to seven years, claiming that there were plans to rush the law through Parliament for approval.
To address the issue, they encouraged Ruto’s administration to make excellent use of the acquired revenue and implement austerity measures to avoid overspending.
Muslim leaders from the North Rift region defended the bishops on Monday against accusations from political leaders in response to their recent comments about government performance.
“It is good for the government to listen to advice from the religious leaders,” one of their representatives said.
“It’s not only the Catholics’ bishops’ duty to call out the government, every religious leader has an obligation to speak out when things aren’t going well.”
Atheists in Kenya welcomed the Catholic Church’s call to action against the government on Monday.
They claimed that the culture of lies was gradually replacing integrity.
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