- The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has issued a scathing critique of President William Ruto’s government, accusing him of dishonesty and failing to deliver on key promises
- In their press statement, the bishops highlighted corruption, political infighting, human rights violations, and the government’s misplaced priorities, including issues with NHIF, the CBC education system, and over-taxation
- They also strongly opposed a proposed bill to extend the terms of elected leaders, urging the government to focus on urgent issues like unemployment and corruption instead
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has openly turned against President William Ruto’s government, calling out the administration for dishonesty, unfulfilled promises, and mounting governance failures.
In a scathing press statement issued this week, the bishops expressed growing concern about the direction of the nation, highlighting six critical issues that they say threaten to unravel the social and political fabric of Kenya.
At the heart of their criticism was the bishops’ condemnation of the increasing dishonesty among politicians, particularly the president’s leadership.
The bishops stated that Kenyans are growing skeptical and disillusioned with the constant stream of unfulfilled promises made by elected officials.
They emphasized that the trust gap between the government and the people has reached alarming levels, with citizens increasingly viewing political promises as mere rhetoric.
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“The growing culture of lies has left Kenyans with little hope or faith in their leaders,” the bishops declared, pointing to the government’s failure to deliver on key issues like the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) transition to SHA and unaddressed concerns from Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) hospitals.
Another major concern raised by the bishops was the rampant corruption and the self-serving nature of Kenyan politics.
They accused elected leaders, including members of the current government, of prioritizing personal gains over public service. This, they said, has led to a shocking and heartbreaking financial burden on ordinary citizens.
“It’s disheartening to see politicians using their positions for personal enrichment while the people suffer,” the bishops lamented.
They also decried the widespread political wrangling within the government, which they said was creating unnecessary divisions and distrust among citizens and between different government factions.
The bishops did not shy away from calling attention to the government’s failure to protect human rights, including the recent spate of abductions, disappearances, and killings of protestors.
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They specifically referenced the June 2024 “Gen Z demonstrations” where many were reportedly injured, killed, or went missing. “The rise in human rights violations is unacceptable.
The right to life is a fundamental constitutional guarantee that the government must protect,” they asserted, urging the administration to curb the violence and restore trust in law enforcement agencies.
Misplaced Priorities
Turning their focus on policy issues, the bishops voiced their concern about the government’s misplaced priorities.
They pointed to issues such as the over-taxation of citizens, unaddressed challenges within the education system—particularly the controversial Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)—and the new university funding model, which they believe will burden students and parents alike.
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The bishops expressed frustration over the government’s lack of genuine consultation with stakeholders, particularly in sectors like education and health, where decisions have often been made without sufficient input from experts and affected communities.
“The government’s focus on increasing taxes while neglecting critical sectors like education and healthcare is deeply troubling,” they stated.
Opposition to Proposed Term Extension
Perhaps most controversially, the bishops opposed the proposed bill to extend the term of elected leaders from five years to seven.
They called the move unconstitutional and unnecessary, urging the government to focus on pressing national issues like unemployment, education reform, and corruption.
“This is a time for leaders to serve the people and address urgent matters—not to seek ways to extend their tenure,” the bishops argued, warning that such a proposal would further erode trust in the political process.
