KENYA: Cry of the Oppressed: Corruption, Over-Taxation Plunge Kenya into Mental Distress, Say Catholic Bishops
Kenyan Traders in Soko Mjinga Market, Rongai Decry the High Cost of Living in a Vox Pop Conducted by Capuchin TV
Elizabeth Asasha
The Catholic Church bishops in Kenya have raised a red flag on the putrid corruption and over-taxation which have cast a dark shadow over the mental health of the majority of Kenyans, weaving an oppressive atmosphere in the country.
In a press statement dubbed, “Cry of the Oppressed”, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has issued a stern rebuke to the Kenyan government, citing concerns over stinking corruption within government institutions, which they described as a significant contributor to over-taxation and the mismanagement of public funds.
Speaking Thursday, April 11, at the Donum Dei Roussel House in Nairobi, the Catholic bishops spotlit a slew of economic issues that continue to bedevil ordinary citizens, including the high cost of living, over-taxation, and unemployment, attributing the challenges to rising cases of mental distress among Kenyans.
“The reality of ordinary Kenyans is that they are struggling financially which has often led them to mental distress,” stated Most Rev. Philip Anyolo the Archbishop of Nairobi, emphasizing the drastic toll that the country’s skyrocketing cost of living has had on ordinary Kenyans for the past three years.
According to the bishops, the oppressed continue to bear the burden of a deeply ingrained corrupt system, which poses a cascade of challenges in their lives.
“Unemployment is also at its highest, moreover, we continue to be “heavily taxed” by corruption in our services systems” decried the local ordinaries in their statement.
The prelates have expressed their deep discontent with the injustices meted out to the local mwananchi, pledging solidarity with those struggling to meet basic needs while calling on both National and County Governments to take decisive action to embrace the much-needed accountability to alleviate the suffering.
“We stand with the ordinary Kenyan who is bearing the brunt of the economic challenges,” stated Archbishop Anyolo adding, “It is imperative that the government prioritizes the welfare of its citizens and ensures that tax revenues are utilized for the benefit of all.”
The Catholic bishops chastised the quixotic voracity of the government to salvage the economy by minting billions of shillings from Kenyans who are already wallowing in destitution as humanly unfair and undignified.
“We should not intend to raise billions in a short span at the cost of great stress to ordinary Kenyans; we can develop slowly but with dignity.” Advised the shepherds of the Catholic faithful in Kenya.
The ecclesiastical leaders nudged the political ruling class and power-brokers of their obligation, “Even as a Godly and noble thing, to mitigate these adversities, and facilitate the improvement of the welfare of the citizens, honoring their promises made to the people.”
Further, the KCCB voiced concern over the government’s handling of the country’s healthcare system, particularly in light of the ongoing doctors’ strike and the crippling debt owed to faith-based hospitals by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“We demand accountability from the government in addressing the challenges facing our healthcare system,” asserted Anyolo. “The lives of ordinary Kenyans are at stake, and it is incumbent upon the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to resolve these issues.”
The statement brought to the fore the bishops’ relentless quest for greater accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer money, stressing the need for responsible governance to address the root causes of economic inequality.
KCCB further emphasized the importance of public participation in assessing the country’s tax regime, urging the government to listen to the voices of churches and other faith-based organizations advocating for fair and transparent taxation policies.
“This is the reason that the Church stands as a sentinel for the morality of the society, the upholding of human dignity, and the defense of the very poor.” asserted the bishops.
The religious men who stamp pontifical authorities in Kenya concluded their statement with a plea to all believers to pray for the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in Kenya as the country grapples with economic uncertainty while reaffirming their commitment to supporting the needy citizenry.
