Church leaders threaten protests over govt oppression, mismanagement

The relationship between the government and the church has continued to sour after religious leaders from Nyanza threatened to mobilise Kenyans for civil disobedience, accusing President William Ruto's administration of oppression and mismanagement.

Bishop David Kodia of the Bondo Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) expressed outrage over what he described as the government's attempt to "commercialise political leadership."

He claimed that the formation of a broad-based government was a tactic to serve the interests of political elites rather than the ordinary people.

"The creation of a broad-based government is designed to serve the political elites at the expense of ordinary Kenyans," Bishop Kodia said, voicing concerns over rising economic hardships that include escalating taxes, a high cost of living, and unresolved national issues.

He warned that these factors were eroding public trust in the Kenya Kwanza Government.

The church leaders in the region have outlined key demands for President Ruto, signalling their expectation for him to demonstrate true leadership and guide the country in the right direction.

Their demands include the publication of state appointments, a list of individuals convicted of major corruption, a report on foreign trips, an update on the roles of the First and Second Ladies, the revocation of the controversial university funding model, and the implementation of the agreed-upon return-to-work formula for lecturers.

Additionally, the bishops are calling for the swift appointment of new commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Bishop Mark Godia of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Maseno West Diocese highlighted that many Kenyans are currently without representation in both County and National Assemblies due to the lack of an active IEBC to oversee by-elections.

“In my own constituency, Ugenya, we don’t have a Member of Parliament after President Ruto appointed our MP Opiyo Wandayi into his government,” he said.

He decried that the lack of representation deprives citizens of their constitutional right to be represented.

The Anglican Church of Kenya also criticised the government, claiming it has failed to steer the country in the right direction.

In a statement on Monday, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit expressed full support for the statement made by Catholic bishops.

“Calling church leaders names or dismissing the bishops' statement as "misleading, erroneous and false," is itself dishonest. The bishops have spoken the minds of Kenyans and faithfully expressed the truth as things are on the ground. No amount of attacks or intimidation will deter the church from calling out evil and speaking the truth to power,” he said.

He called on the political class and those in government to step down from their high positions and listen to the needs of Kenyans, rather than perpetuating the culture of impunity.

“The governed do not need lectures but services and honest engagement. Please concentrate on providing leadership in a meaningful way and first tackle the myriad of problems that are bedevilling the country,” Archbishop Sapit added.

Challenges facing Kenyans

He highlighted several issues, including the dysfunctional university funding model, delays in capitation for public universities, the troubled transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the government’s failure to address the rising rates of abductions, forced disappearances, and unresolved murders.

ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit speaks during a media briefing in Nairobi on September 26, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

He also pointed to the burdensome taxes, unemployment crises, and poor business environment affecting ordinary Kenyans.

“Who should be held responsible if not the government?” Sapit posed.

"We should not simply fold our hands and pray for miracles. We do not condemn the government or criticise it for the sake of it. We demand transparency, greater accountability, time-bound plans, and urgent interventions, especially in areas like medical care, which cannot wait."

The remarks came just days after Catholic bishops accused President Ruto's government of fostering “a culture of lies” and using state machinery to suppress dissent. Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), led the criticism, accusing the regime of failing to honour its election promises and ignoring the needs of ordinary citizens.

"The culture of lies is swiftly replacing the integrity and respect that Kenyans deserve. It seems that truth no longer exists, and if it does, it is only what the government says," Archbishop Muhatia said.

He added that many Kenyans no longer trusted the government they had voted for two years ago.

"Unfortunately, Kenyans have helplessly tolerated the lies told to them constantly by politicians. Kenyans must learn not to applaud or validate the lies politicians tell them, but instead resolve to seek and be led by the truth," he said.

The bishops also voiced concerns over the economic and political policies of the Kenya Kwanza government, particularly the introduction of the Tax Amendment Bill 2024. They claimed this was a backdoor attempt to reintroduce the controversial Finance Bill 2024, further intensifying their criticism of the administration's handling of national affairs.

Meanwhile, President Ruto has defended his administration from the criticism, assuring Kenyans that his regime is committed to fulfilling its promises.

“Our Social Health Insurance Fund, affordable housing project, and competency-based curriculum are designed to address the challenges our citizens face. We are confident these initiatives will bring lasting change,” Ruto said during a church service at Soweto Catholic Church in Kayole, Nairobi, on Sunday.