KENYA: Country Faces “Delicate Situation,” Catholic Bishops Concerned on State of the Nation
Members of KCCB. Credit Radio Amani Nakuru
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) after their plenary assembly at St. Mary’s Pastoral Centre in Nakuru, have shared their concern on the state of affairs in the country saying that Kenya is facing “a delicate situation.”
In their collective statement shared with AMECEA Online Friday, November 10, the Catholic Bishops have pinpointed that citizens’ resilience has been greatly tested in the current period, a situation that has led “many to despair and have a sense of hopelessness as they try to make ends meet.”
“Our country is facing perhaps the most acute economic strain, coupled with unemployment, drastic climatic changes, and uncertainties in direction and decisions within our governance,” the bishops lamented in their statement signed by the Chairman of KCCB Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese adding that, “We realize the delicate situation we all find ourselves in at this moment.”
The Church leaders have had their meeting just after the Synodal assembly in Rome which was attended by Bishops, Religious, the Laity both men and women as well as the youths from across the globe to reflect on the synodal theme which is encouraging walking together: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, participation and mission.”
The Bishops highlighted that the Synod was an expression of great communion in many diverse cultures and traditions an example that gives great hope, “that even here in Kenya, we can all find ways of working and living together as a Nation, within our diversities and even with our political, ethnic, and social differences, as we forge our common destiny.”
Even though Kenyans are normally hopeful to overcome adverse situations the country may face, the current emerging issues seem to be overwhelming including the high cost of living, over-taxation, unemployment, education challenges security issues, corruption, and environmental challenges among others.
Addressing the issue of high cost of living which has deeply affected and shaken the social fabric of Kenyan society, the Prelates stated that they have talked about this concern repeatedly but still, it seems to be falling on deaf ears yet “Whatever affects a Kenyan no matter his social status is a concern for all Kenyans.”
“We continue to witness the rise of the cost of fuel, the cost of basic commodities, and the added demands from the care for the family, in school fees and healthcare,” the Church leaders raise their concern in the Friday statement adding that, “We are particularly concerned that the people who are affected most by this situation are those in the lower income bracket, especially the very poor and miserable.
According to the bishops, the high cost of living “has created an added suffering to the people already strained by the recent Covid-19 pandemic and drought effects,” and at the same time “It is especially strangling the very poor in their modest needs as families struggle to make ends meet which leads to strained relationships and increased tensions within households.”
Highlighting some more challenges Kenyans face because of the current high cost of living, members of KCCB pointed out that, “Parents find it challenging to provide for their children’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being a situation which is perpetuating a cycle of poverty, limiting opportunities for personal and societal growth.”
This economic stagnation the bishops said, “exacerbates the unemployment problem, creating a vicious cycle of financial hardship for the population.”
With this great concern in the country, the bishops after their one-week plenary meeting in Nakuru, pleaded for “a wider consultation and discussions among the Government and other stakeholders, to review and study ways to address and mitigate the effects of the high cost of living.”
“We believe that the greater commitment and assistance in agricultural production, and the better-coordinated sale of products; the fair prices for produce like maize; waiver of certain licenses, and zero-rating farm inputs, can relieve many Kenyans of this burden,” they said.
The Bishops from the 27 Dioceses in Kenya, disclosed that part of the cause of the high cost of living is as a result of the cost of petroleum and the effects of the Ukrainian and Middle East conflicts, a situation they believe that “a more strategic approach based on the interest of the very poor, could accommodate decisions that would alleviate.”
“We have appealed to the Government on several occasions to reconsider the issue of over-taxation of the Kenyans, and especially to incomes of those in the lower income bracket. This one factor has greatly affected the family income in a disproportionate way leading to anger among Kenyans,” reads part of the Friday statement as they add, “Many traders and businesses are now faced with the option of closure or laying-off employees due to the immense drain to their resources and added tax burdens.”
Further, the bishops decry, “There seems to be a lack of sensitivity in the way the business persons and individuals are being harassed by the KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority) officials in view of collecting more taxes. This has also affected peoples’ morale and sense of hope in a better future.”
The bishops therefore appeal to Government to “find a reasonable balance between the desired income for the Government and the minimum protection of the basic needs of the very ordinary Kenyan, and respect to their dignity.”
“Our true patriotism and true leadership, as Government, Churches, and Faiths, can only be measured in the care we have for the most vulnerable in the society,” the Church leaders said assuring Kenyans that “We can rise above all these challenges and continue to build our country.”
