Kenyan Catholic bishops have cautioned political leaders against premature 2027 campaigns, escalating violence, and deepening governance failures, warning that such trends threaten national unity and human dignity.
Speaking during the launch of this year’s Lenten Campaign at the Immaculate Conception Shrine in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, said the Church could not remain silent as the country faces mounting moral and social challenges.
“As your shepherds, we speak not out of political interest or partisanship, but out of our pastoral responsibility to proclaim truth, defend human dignity, promote justice, and stand with the voiceless,” he said.
Under the theme, “Building a Just, Peaceful and United Kenya: Upholding Human Dignity,” the bishops emphasized that dignity is “inherent, inviolable, and non-negotiable,” reminding leaders that it “is not granted by the State, nor can it be taken away by any authority.”
The bishops expressed concern over what they termed premature political mobilization ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“This early jostling for positions… is disturbing because it is riddled with inflammatory rhetoric, political thuggery and violence,” the statement read.
They cautioned leaders to stop early campaigns, warning they are distracting from service delivery and risk “plunging the country into unnecessary tension.”
On governance, the bishops cited “entrenched corruption and the misuse of public resources, weak accountability mechanisms, the selective application of the rule of law, poor delivery of essential services, and a rising public debt.”
They reminded public officials that “public office is a sacred trust, not an avenue for self-enrichment,” and called for strengthened transparency and robust accountability.
The Church also condemned increased violations of human rights, including excessive force and disruption of worship.
“Churches are sacred places and must always be respected,” the bishops said, terming the lobbing of tear gas canisters at worshippers “a gross violation of the constitutional right to worship provided under Article 32 of the Constitution of Kenya.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 polls, the bishops urged Parliament to fast-track electoral reforms and called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to begin nationwide voter education and mass registration.
“Early, transparent and credible preparation is the bedrock of free, fair, and peaceful elections,” they said.
They concluded by urging Kenyans to “choose justice over injustice, unity over division, service over self-interest, and peace over conflict.”
