Church vs State: War of words erupt as Muheria criticises govt’s ‘excessive publicity'
Muheria took issue with the administration's focus on advertisements and public announcements, saying it should instead prioritise action.
A war of words has erupted between Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria and senior government officials over what the bishop termed as excessive publicity of government projects instead of real development.
On Friday, Muheria took issue with the administration's focus on advertisements and public announcements, saying it should instead prioritise action.
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"There has to be less rhetoric. We have to stop advertising and act. The government seems to be constrained to an advertisement of government, advertisement of government projects, advertisements of plans," Muheria said.
He challenged President William Ruto's administration to focus on tangible results rather than grand promises.
"Government is not an advertising agency. It is an agency that implements actions. That's what we want to see," Muheria said.
"Stop advertising what we should do, will do, or have done. Instead, focus on mobilising people, resources, and experts. We have great capacity, even within our leadership in government, to deliver especially for the poor," he added
The Bishop further called for a shift in leadership priorities. "How I wish we could serve the people instead of all this advertising, noise, and insulting and demeaning statements. Let's start construction, appreciate one another, acknowledge contributions and expertise, and bring all these efforts together," he said.
However, government officials swiftly responded to the bishop's remarks.
Speaking at the burial of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi's father in Kilifi County on Friday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the government's approach, saying it was necessary to keep citizens informed.
"The government must inform Kenyans what it is doing," Mudavadi stated, arguing that transparency helps prevent misunderstandings.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula echoed the sentiment, insisting that it is the government's duty to communicate its actions.
"As a government, we have a duty to continue broadcasting whatever we do so that all Kenyans are aware from Vanga to Lokichogio, from Malaba to Lamu," Wetang'ula said.
He further urged Ruto to keep up the publicity. "Mr President, continue blowing your own trumpet."
The debate comes as Ruto's remarks on road projects became a social media sensation.
His detailed announcement of a planned road in northeastern Kenya was remixed into viral TikTok challenges, with critics turning it into a joke.
Responding to the online buzz, President Ruto defended his deep knowledge of infrastructure projects across the country.
"I know quite a number of places. I can tell you the roads in northern Kenya as well as I can tell you the ones in Central, Western, and many other parts of the country. And that is because this is my job... It is the job I applied for," he said.
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