KENYA: KCCB not Among Petitioners Seeking to Oust President from Office, Prelate Clarifies
Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following a recent petition filed in the High Court of Kenya as petitioners seek orders for a referendum to oust President William Samoei Ruto and his Deputy Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua from office, the Chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has clarified that the Catholic Bishops are not among the petitioners.
Addressing thousands of congregants during the Episcopal Consecration of the Coadjutor Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Isiolo in Kenya on Saturday, July 27, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba said, “We disassociate ourselves from the petition currently before the High Court to remove the President from office.”
According to Archbishop Muhatia, who is the Local Ordinary for Kisumu Archdiocese, KCCB was included among the 14 petitioners who filed the case in court on Wednesday, July 24, claiming that the Head of State and the deputy violated Kenya’s 2010 Constitution by allowing the Police to kill peaceful protesters.
“Our name was included on the petition without consultation,” the Archbishop disclosed and explained further the stand of the Church leaders, “The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops is committed to deepening democracy through inclusive dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement to address the current crisis confronting our nation.”
He added, “We believe the ongoing crisis is not insurmountable, and hence accords the nation an opportunity to find a lasting solution through genuine dialogue and multi-stakeholder consultations.”
Expounding on the significance of dialogue during this moment of crisis in the country, Archbishop Muhatia noted that “Dialogue should not be about sharing political positions but about building a prosperous and inclusive nation where everyone feels they belong, where all embrace constitutionalism and citizens receive value for their taxes.”
Besides, the Archbishop shared reflecting on the scripture message from the prophet Isaiah, that this is the moment citizens need to journey together and reason with one another about the future of the country, “For the sake of current and future generations.”
Since mid-June, Generation Z (GenZ) has been demonstrating in Kenya while condemning the entire political class as corrupt and calling for far-reaching reforms to address graft and poor governance.
Responding to the step taken by the young people in the country, the KCCB chairman highlighted that “the young people have spoken loudly and eloquently about the direction they wish to see our nation take. Through social media and demonstrations, they have made it clear that we cannot continue doing things the same old way.”
The Bishops therefore called the leadership of the country asking them not to harden their hearts but to listen to the voices of the youth. At the same time, they appealed to the youth to embrace structured dialogue for their concerns to be taken into consideration by the relevant authorities.
“Corruption continues to deny Kenyans essential services and must therefore be eradicated at all levels,” Archbishop Muhatia stressed during the Saturday event and continued, “As a nation, we should come up with long-term strategies of ensuring our youth secure employment opportunities for the common good.”
He criticized over-taxation in the country without corresponding services a move that is driving a majority of Kenyans into poverty.
In this case, he said, “There is an urgent need for Legislators to review the various taxation policies by ensuring the laws protect the poor.”
In his address, the Archbishop acknowledged that the youths have been peaceful in their demands, yet some people have taken advantage of these demonstrations to loot businesses and harm demonstrators.
“We appeal to the security agencies to rein in these lawbreakers. As a democratic country, we must all uphold the rule of law,” he cautioned and concluded, “Let there be justice for all the victims as we appeal for calm and peace in our nation.”
