Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, has praised the Catholic bishops for their bold stand in calling attention to what he described as the unethical practices within the current government. Musyoka, speaking to the media on Friday, commended the clergy for their unwavering commitment to preserving the moral and ethical values that form the foundation of Kenyan society.
“I commend the Catholic bishops for calling out this regime on its unethical dealings with the people of Kenya. These actions are eroding the basic core values that we, as Kenyans, hold dear,” said Musyoka. He emphasized the importance of respecting spiritual leaders, stating, “If we don’t respect our spiritual fathers, where are we going to get blessings from?”
The remarks follow the release of a strong statement by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), which criticized the government for its failure to uphold transparency, accountability, and fairness. The bishops raised concerns about widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, and government policies they argue are burdening citizens.
The Catholic Church also expressed alarm over ongoing cases of alleged abductions by state security agencies, warning that the country is heading in the wrong direction. In their statement, the bishops called for the cessation of these human rights abuses and a renewed focus on ethical governance.
The KCCB also highlighted the excessive taxation of ordinary Kenyans and urged the government to honor its promises, particularly in fulfilling outstanding payments to essential service providers. Faith-based health institutions were specifically mentioned, with the Church citing billions of shillings in unpaid dues by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“This is an issue we have addressed constantly with the President,” the bishops stated in their release.
In response to the bishops’ statements, government officials moved swiftly to downplay the criticisms. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi and Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa issued clarifications in an attempt to counter the allegations.
Migosi denied claims that the education sector is in crisis, particularly regarding the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and higher education funding. He stressed that the government has made significant investments to ensure the successful implementation of CBC, describing it as “a seamless process.”
“Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that the education sector is crumbling,” Migosi asserted.
Similarly, CS Barasa responded to accusations that the government’s public health insurance program (SHIF) was in disarray due to billions owed to faith-based health providers. She labeled these claims as “misleading, erroneous, and false,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to clearing historical NHIF debts. According to Barasa, the government had mobilized Sh7.58 billion to address outstanding arrears, with Sh5.05 billion already disbursed to various health providers, including Sh938 million allocated to faith-based facilities.
As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that the Catholic Church’s intervention has sparked a significant dialogue on governance, ethics, and accountability in Kenya.
polycarp ochieng