Ruto government comes out fighting after onslaught from Catholic Bishops
President William Ruto with his deputy Kithure Kindiki when he chaired a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi on November 14, 2024.
What you need to know:
- The bishops called out President Ruto’s administration for what they termed a deeply entrenched culture of lies.
- The clergymen also accused the political class of turning a deaf ear to key concerns raised by Kenyans.
Besieged President William Ruto's government, shocked by the new front of Catholic Bishops - among many scathing attacks against it - is scrambling to defend itself.
After Catholics Bishops came out guns blazing with scathing critiques of President Ruto's administration, the government did not wait too long to respond. A flurry of statements followed Thursday evening: first from the Health Ministry then Education. The National Police Service also had its say on some of the matters raised by the bishops.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Thursday sarcastically observed that "just one statement by the Catholic Bishops and what we so far have are Fifteen responses from government... Tumsifu Yesu Kristo (Jesus Lord be praised)".
A State House honcho on Friday morning told Nation.Africa that "you people have decided you want our president put in a permanent state of panicky anger... you people are not doing us justice... especially those clergy people".
Controversial Senior Counsel Mr Ahmednasir Abdullahi chided the government of overreacting.
"The Government is overreacting in its response to the statement by the Catholic Bishops. If the bishops are truthful, take the criticism on board and self correct. If the statement is not true, ignore it and deliver to the people of Kenya... but the stroppy and belligerent response by the government is, in my humble opinion, an own goal," he said.
The bishops under the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on Thursday called out President Ruto’s administration for what they termed a deeply entrenched culture of lies, corruption, unfulfilled promises, and misplaced priorities.
Led by their chair, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia of Kisumu, the bishops also accused the political class of turning a deaf ear to key concerns raised by Kenyans.
They cited over taxation, unemployment, disturbing gaps in the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and the chaotic transition from National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
They further expressed their displeasure with the seeming laxity in the war against graft and addressing reported abductions, disappearances, and killings of Kenyans.
“Who is abducting these people? And is the government unable to stop these abductions and killings?" Muhatia posed.
The bishops have since urged Kenyans to unite in prayer during these precarious times.
The Catholic faithful was making a return condemnation of the Ruto government, two weeks after some evangelicals dismissed the government as "founded on Godliness but living an ungodly values in its rule".
Churches across the country have nowadays transformed their pulpits into government battering zones, making it appear besieged and at precarious reelection position as 2027 General Elections draw near.
The Bishops noted that it would not have reached a situation whereby they were forcefully expressing themselves had the government adopted the culture of correcting itself after past moderated statements were issued.
“We have made clear statements many times in the recent past, with very little response from the government. Despite the calmness we are experiencing, there is a lot of anxiety and most people are losing trust in the government," said Muhatia.
Besides over taxation of Kenyans, the hiking of missionary work permits, youth unemployment, regulations of the education system, especially the CBC, and university loan schemes, the Bishops slammed at the Ruto rule for failure to constitute the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a nutshell, the Bishops said the government in place was famous for its culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities, terming it unacceptable and needs to be dealt with.
The church further took issue with what it perceived as cheeky drive to extend electoral cycle from the current five years to seven years.
“It is baffling that a bill proposing an extension of a five-year term to seven years is being considered. We need to critically scrutinize this political move. We question the motivations behind this agenda and the long-term interests it serves," said Bishop Dominic Kimengich.
But in a torrent of responses, some ranging from insults to attempted reasoning, government entities and sympathisers ran an impromptu campaign of press statements and messaging in defense of President Ruto's rule.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a said the government was suffering from poor expression and outward communication about its achievements hence the backlash.
"The government must put its communication tack in order. It is getting this backlash owing to its inefficient communications strategy," she said.
A communications staffer at the ruling United Democratic Alliance party said: Hawa wahubiri hawataki rais aende AIC Milimani, wanataka aende kwao (these clergy fo not the President's routine of worshipping at the African Inland Church (AIC)... they want him in their churches".
Kenya Cultural Centre Council board Chairman Mr Kung'u Muigai in his defense for the government slammed the bishops as self seekers.
"I've seen the Catholic Bishops presser. I've also noticed several Church leaders... castigating the government. During the campaigns these Clergy put the Bible down and picked baskets to collect money from these politicians, welcoming them into their Churches with open arms. Now no politician goes to Church and Church leaders are frustrated, they should shut up and wait for next round of campaigns," he said in a statement.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu observed that the government is sensitive to criticism since it is a know it all outfit that has zero respects for what Kenyans feel.
"When the government is in the hands of sycophantic bloggers who have zero respect for sensitivity, diplomacy, cohesion, respects....a government communication character that addresses people like they are together in a bar and intoxicated...the results are obvious," he said.
He added that most of government critical departments are being led by mischievous, power drunk and boisterous characters who are doing a great job demolishing the very employer they portend to defend".
Mr Nyutu observed that "things have only started...they will get hotter and the government will learn too late that it followed a faulty and self sabotaging political strategy".
The Ministry of Education through Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos said it was deeply concerned about the Bishops: statement.
He denied that the CBS architectural design was "crumbling" and the university funding model was in shambles.
"The merits of CBC and its structure have been subjected to extensive stakeholder consultation and public participation who included the very same bishops who worked in the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform," Mr Migos said.
Mr Migos maintained that the higher Education funding is student-centered and again had the endorsement of the Bishops as the working party that briefed the president.
"Since it was rolled out in 2023, the model has eased the financial burden in universities, which had been indebted to the tune of Sh70 Billion, with many technically insolvent. The Government has disbursed over Sh41 billion to universities in loans and scholarships to the two cohorts of students since 2023," he said.
He raised concerns that the Catholic clergy was condemning a whole education system that has over 11 million learners.
Senate Majority Leader Mr Aaron Cheruiyott was not left behind, firing a sarcasm laden personal statement regarding the accusation that Kenya Kwanza rule was pushing for an illicit term extension agenda.
"My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by Catholic Church Bishops alleging that a constitutional amendment bill is being considered and rushed through parliament. The bill in question was presented by the Senator of Nandi, Samson Cherargei, himself a devout Catholic faithful," Mr Cheruiyott started.
He said the president's party UDA has since disowned the bill and it currently stands rejected.
"The Clergy must avoid being purveyors of propaganda, fake news, and falsehoods. I urge the Church to avoid being roped into a scheme to destroy our institutions by scandalizing them with misinformation, a practice ripe in our social media spaces," he said in his statement.
Mr Cheruiyott lamented that "it is unfortunate that religious leaders were resorting to sweeping generalities. If they have an issue with an individual leader, they should seek redress through the relevant constitutional agencies instead of condemning the entire legislature".
The Health ministry through Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa in a statement said the Catholic Bishops tirade was unwarranted.
"The Government takes great exception to the misleading, erroneous and false statement issued by Catholic Church Bishops on obligations owed by the Government through the defunct NHIF," she started.
She maintained that the Health ministry remains committed to providing transparent, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all.
"The government commends all Kenyans who have registered with the Social Health Authority, and healthcare providers, including public, private and faith based organisations. The Government further calls on all stakeholders including the Catholic Church to support the roll out of SHA," she said.
The National Police Service (NPS) through Inspector General Douglas Kanja also rushed to the protecting of President Ruto rule through a press statement.
He reiterated the government's commitment to serve and protect all people in the country.
Catholic bishops said they are appalled by the blatant recurring incidents of reported abductions, disappearances, torture and killings of Kenyans.
“The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to serve and protect all persons in Kenya...In most of the cases reported, we have effectively investigated, identified the culprits and arraigned them before court. A specialised Missing Persons Unit has also been established at the DCI to deal with cases of the nature," he said.
He also postured that gender desks at police stations nationwide are on high alert to deal swiftly with any cases of gender-based violence.
