Catholic Bishops Rebuke Government For Human Rights Violation, Asks Ruto to Fulfil Promises

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has rebuked the Kenya Kwanza regime for violations of Human Rights and unkept promises.

During a press briefing on Thursday November 14, in Ruaraka, Nairobi, the clergymen alleged that President William Ruto’s administration have so far failed to deal with rampant corruption in the state agencies and handling issues of over-taxation.

The Bishops also noted that Ruto’s government has not kept the promise to settle debt owed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to faith-based organisations.

“We recall the pertinent issues we have raised recently with the government over taxation of Kenyans, the hiking of the missionary work permits, youth unemployment, and regulations of the education system including the Competency Bed Curriculum (CBC) and the education funding,” the bishops stated.

Expressing their dissatisfaction with the current regime, the Catholic bishops criticized the Head of State for being reluctant to intervene for Kenyans who are exhausted with the culture of lies and misplaced priorities as seen in his administration. They, however, demanded the government to prioritize consulting the public and other stakeholders on matters touching constitutional amendments before rushing such bills for approvals at the parliament.

“This culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with. We believe that genuine consultations of all concerned stakeholders is necessary beyond the casualty public participation,” the statement added.

Similar critique was presented by the clergymen over the bill that seeks to extend presidential and other elected officials’ term limits. According to them, this is a misplaced priority beseeching the government to consider placing priorities on issues directly affecting the people of Kenya, like constituting the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In conclusion, the Bishops expressed firm stand of the church, lamented on the loud silence by the government on ending abductions and extra-judicial killings experienced in the country lately.

“Many families are grappling with the loss of their children who were brutally killed and went missing following what is referred to as the Gen Z demonstrations in June 2024. Many of them had raised concerns about rampant corruption, who is behind these abductions?” the bishops noted.

To resolve the menace, the catholic bishops advised President Ruto’s administration to put into good use the collected revenue and put in place austerity measures to avoid over-expenditure.