Kenya’s political arena heated up on Thursday, November 14, as several MPs fired back at Catholic bishops who criticized President William Ruto’s administration over corruption and alleged human rights abuses.
Leading the bishops’ charge, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) lambasted the government for what he called “a culture of lies” replacing integrity, urging Kenyans not to “applaud or validate” dishonesty in politics.
He warned against broken promises and expressed dismay over government actions that, he said, disregarded the people’s grievances.
Catholic Bishops during a past media presser.
In response, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, a key ally of Ruto, dismissed the bishops’ comments as politically motivated, challenging them to substantiate their claims of corruption among legislators.
“If there is any information on corruption, please bring it forward to the investigation agencies,” Ichung’wah retorted, asserting that religious leaders were painting themselves as “politically partisan.”
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot also joined the rebuttal, defending the government’s stance on economic matters and taking aim at a recent controversial bill proposing extended presidential terms.
“The bill was already rejected by the Senate’s Justice Committee,” he clarified, accusing the bishops of reviving defunct issues to suit a political agenda.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi accused Archbishop Anthony Muheria of tribal bias, claiming the cleric previously backed leaders who “failed Kenyans.”
Meanwhile, KCCB’s Muhatia underscored the church’s concern over human rights violations, particularly enforced disappearances and curtailed freedom of speech.
The bishops also criticized the government’s Tax Amendment Bill, calling it a veiled attempt to revive the contentious Finance Bill, sparking further debate on the church’s role in national politics.
