A day after the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) issued a statement criticizing the government over taxation and unfulfilled promises, President William Ruto has called for factual discourse in public discussions, urging the clergy to ensure accuracy in their statements.
The President made his remarks on Friday during the inaugural graduation ceremony at Tangaza University College, a Catholic Church-owned institution, where he addressed the importance of maintaining honesty in public debates. Although he did not directly reference the bishops’ criticism, his comments came in response to the harsh remarks made by the clergy the previous day.
“Even as we engage in public discourse on matters that are important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual, lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing… I know you, I know what I mean,” President Ruto said, stressing the importance of truthfulness in national conversations.
The bishops’ statement, issued on Thursday, raised concerns about the direction in which the country is headed, particularly in relation to government taxation policies and the alleged failure to fulfill promises made to Kenyans during the election period. They also condemned the ongoing cases of abductions allegedly involving state security agencies.
The Catholic leaders specifically criticized the government for overtaxing the population, saying that the burden placed on citizens is excessive. They also voiced their disappointment over unpaid bills to essential service providers, including faith-based hospitals, which they claim are owed billions by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“This is an issue we have addressed constantly even with the President,” the bishops stated.
In response, President Ruto emphasized the need for responsible and fact-based dialogue in all sectors of society. His remarks were echoed by several government officials who moved swiftly to address the criticism.
Government Officials Defend the Administration
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migosi, firmly rejected claims by the bishops that the country’s education sector is in crisis. The bishops had stated that the education system is struggling due to “selfish agendas, lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities.”
Migosi emphasized that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and other education reforms are progressing smoothly, and the government has invested heavily to ensure successful implementation. “The government has, therefore, taken proactive measures and invested heavily to ensure that the noble objectives of CBC are achieved through seamless implementation. This, therefore, can hardly be described as crumbling,” Migosi asserted.
Similarly, Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa refuted claims that the government’s public health insurance scheme, SHIF, is failing, particularly with regard to unpaid debts owed to faith-based organizations. Barasa termed the allegations “misleading, erroneous, and false” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to settling the historical debts left by the defunct NHIF.
“We are fully committed to clearing the historical debts, and in the past month alone, we mobilized Sh7.58 billion to settle these arrears,” Barasa explained, adding that Sh5.05 billion had already been disbursed to various health providers, including Sh938 million to faith-based facilities.
Political Leaders Respond to Bishops’ Criticism
The remarks by the Catholic bishops also sparked strong reactions from political leaders. National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, and his Senate counterpart, Aaron Cheruiyot, both sharply criticized the bishops for their statements regarding corruption in the government.
Ichung’wah challenged the bishops to provide concrete evidence of corruption within the legislature, inviting them to submit any information they may have to investigative agencies. “Dear Catholic bishops, let us all be honest. If you have any information on corrupt legislators, please furnish information to investigative agencies or just name them and shame them,” Ichung’wah stated.
Senator Cheruiyot, in a similar vein, told off the bishops for what he called an unwarranted attack on the government. He emphasized that the government is committed to serving all Kenyans, and urged the bishops to be more constructive in their engagement with the leadership.
As tensions continue to rise between the government and the clergy, both sides have reiterated their commitment to the welfare of the people of Kenya. The government has made clear its intention to address the issues raised by the bishops through ongoing reforms and dialogue, while urging that future discussions be based on facts and not misrepresentation.