Catholic Bishops in Kenya have advocated for good governance, the need to lower the cost of living, and sustainable peace among other needs that can foster livelihoods of the people of God in the East African nation.
In their New Year’s Day individual messages reported by a section of mainstream media in Kenya, the Catholic Church leaders have decried corruption, unemployment among the youth, growing numbers of the “very needy”, and making “serious policies … on the spot”.
“You cannot preside over a country where there is massive looting of the public coffers at a time Kenyans are facing hardships due to the high cost of living and punitive taxes,” Bishop Joseph Obanyi.
“You cannot preside over a country where there is massive looting of the public coffers at a time Kenyans are facing hardships due to the high cost of living and punitive taxes,” Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe of Kenya’s Kakamega Diocese has been quoted as saying during Holy Mass on Monday, January 1 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral of his Episcopal See.
Bishop Obanyi highlighted bribery as one form of corruption in Kenya, and called on those in leadership to prioritize service and the common good over selfish gains.
“In Kenya now, for a youth to get a government job, he or she must sell ancestral land or a cow to bribe those overseeing the recruitment process. When they finally get the job, what will stop them from stealing?” he posed.
The Kenyan Catholic leader continued, “I am told right now some people are accumulating wealth to use during the 2027 General Election to defend their political seats. We must be just and work for the people who put us in the positions we hold today.”
“If you have been given responsibility, do not use it for selfish gains. Serve with diligence so that God can bless the work of your hands,” Bishop Obanyi who has been at the helm of Kakamega Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in March 2015 said on New Year said.
He appealed to Kenyans to foster resilience amid challenges occasioned by the high cost of living.
“Don’t lose hope and never give up because God is on our side,” the native of Kenya’s Kisii Diocese said during Holy Mass on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1.
In his New Year homily at the Sacred of Heart of Jesus Cathedral of his Episcopal See, the Local Ordinary of Eldoret Diocese highlighted the challenge of the high cost of living, including loss of livelihoods and death.
“This is a special day. I know we passed through hard situations; the majority of people suffered a lot with some ending up losing their loved ones because of the cost of living,” Bishop Dominic Kimengich said.
Bishop Kimengich reassured the people of God in Kenya of God’s presence, care, and protection amid the challenges of the just ended year, saying, “I can assure you that God will never leave his people.”
The Kenyan Catholic Bishop went on to urge the political leadership to work towards realizing the pledges they made to the electorate, including ensuring “food security”.
“It is important for our political leaders to stick to their principles and provide adequate measures on food security. Let them forget the past and forge a new life for this country. Politics come and, go, but the country and its citizens remain,” he said.
The Catholic Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 2010 as the Auxiliary Bishop of Kenya’s Lodwar Diocese called on the national and County governments to foster strategic and collaborative approach to peace initiatives in regions experiencing violent conflicts.
He also called on the President William Ruto-led government and the opposition leaders to embrace dialogue to ensure peace and stability in Kenya.
In Kenya’s Nakuru Diocese, Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka cautioned against despair amid challenges, including the failure of the political class to fulfill the promises they made towards the general elections in August 2022.
Bishop Oseso implored for divine inspiration, saying, “Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. We pray that God inspires our leaders by giving them the wisdom to enable them to discern well on what is needed for the nation.”
“Let the leaders deny themselves luxuries for the sake of our economy,” the Local Ordinary of Nakuru since his Episcopal Ordination in May 2023 said on New Year’s Day.
On his part, Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese weighed in on Kenyans’ expectations for the New Year 2024, advocating for sustainable peace.“Although we are going through tough economic times, let us not be involved in activities that will threaten the peace of our country; let 2024 be a peaceful year. That is our prayer. God will see us through,” Archbishop Anyolo said on New Year’s Day at Holy Family Basilica.
The Kenyan Catholic Archbishop urged the political leaders to foster integrity in their service delivery to the people of God in Kenya.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The Standard to mark the end of the Year 2023, Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Kenya’s Nyeri Archdiocese urged President Ruto-led government to ease the burden of taxes on Kenyans.
“We have never been as badly battered economically as in the last year. Every new month seemed to deplete the meagre resources of our families. The cost of items, fuel and travelling, the fees in schools, the increase in taxes without any relief from increased salaries,” Archbishop Muheria lamented.
He continued, “We know that the world situation has caused a global increase in the cost of living, but we also believe that there are ways we can mitigate its increase with meaningful strategies. We hope and pray that our agricultural production in 2024, and our tourism income increase substantially to aid our economy.”
While it would be presumptuous to predict the events of the New Year 2024, the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop told The Standard, “Nevertheless, we plead with the government, we encourage them also to prioritise the first level support to the very needy, in the cost of basic commodities, and assistance in health care.”
He cautioned against “on the spot” pronouncements on policy issues, and advocated for “well-thought-out” processes.
“Often, it seems serious policies are made on the spot without much planning or coordination,” the Local Ordinary of Nyeri lamented, adding, “We need to sort out our policies in an orderly and well-thought-out manner. There must be better coordination in government.”
He acknowledged with appreciation the resilience of the people of God in Kenya, saying, “Kenyans have continued to be optimistic given difficulties and adjusted with outstanding resilience. Some have been amazingly innovative in trying to get new income side hustles. We sincerely applaud this Kenyan spirit.”
He also recognized personalities, who made Kenya proud in the Year 2023.
“As usual our pride in this last year has been the successes of our heroes, the athletes and sportsmen. This is one area that makes us all feel so proudly Kenyan. We celebrated the wins and world records of Faith Kipyegon, Kelvin Kiptum, Mary Moraa and of course Eliud Kipchoge. They never disappoint,” Archbishop Muheria told The Standard.
He also weighed in on the massacre at Shakahola Forest in the Kenyan coastal town of Malindi, Kilifi County, where one, “pastor” Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, allegedly convinced his followers that starving themselves to death would hasten their departure from this life in order to “meet Jesus”.
Archbishop Muheria described the Shakahola tragedy as “the biggest human scandal” in recent times, and added, “There is no way we can erase the Shakahola tragedy from our minds and memories. That over 400 Kenyans lost their lives in an irrational frenzy, is truly sad and inexplicable.”
“However, this is one of our great weaknesses as Kenyans. We are gullible, believing any person who makes any claim of extraordinary power,” he further said, and continued, “We call this faith, but unfortunately many false religious leaders use this irrational ‘belief’ to manipulate and mislead Kenyans.”
“We must wake up to discern what true faith in God means, and what religious fraud or conning is. As we wait to get answers, we must make sure we never get another Shakahola,” the 60-year-old member of Opus Dei, who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2004 as Bishop of Kenya’s Embu Diocese said.
He challenged Kenyans to take up personal initiatives to change their livelihoods for the better, including “solidarity and social actions in favour of those in need around us.”
“We must take up our roles and become innovative, without depending on or waiting for Government agencies or other external benefactors,” Archbishop Muheria told The Standard.