Catholic bishops in Kenya have expressed alarm at the rising levels of abusive and disrespectful language among political leaders, saying it is damaging the country’s image and eroding public trust in leadership.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) called on politicians to be mindful of their words, stressing that careless speech has serious social consequences.
KCCB chairman Maurice Muhatia Makumba, speaking during the reception of Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Mwongela after Norman King’oo’s retirement, urged leaders to conduct themselves with dignity and responsibility.
He highlighted the negative impact that crude language has on children, youth, and adults who observe and listen to political debates.
“We want to call for restraint and decorum in public speaking and we call upon leaders, especially political leaders, to exercise restraint. The children listening to you are shocked, the young people listening to you are traumatised because in you is represented the collapse of their aspiration for leadership,” Muhatia said on Thursday.
“The adults listening to you are embarrassed; you are a poor representation of our generation, Please exercise restraint. This country belongs to more than 50 million Kenyans and not only to yourselves.”
The bishops condemned the growing trend of public insults, name-calling, and divisive rhetoric among politicians, urging that disagreements be expressed respectfully.
“The verbal indiscipline we are experiencing is indicative of something worse. Please let us respect each other as our respect for our fellow brothers and sisters. You can disagree with people without insulting them,” Muhatia added.
In a pointed remark aimed at top political figures, the clergy suggested that leaders should settle their differences privately rather than in public view.
“If you want to insult each other, look for some bunker underground in the earth, go there, insult each other, and when you finish, come back and join us in nation building,” Muhatia said.
The KCCB chairman also cautioned against thoughtless remarks, noting that public leaders carry the weight of influence and their words affect all citizens.
“Not everything that crosses your mind must drop on your lips. Your opinions are not only to yourselves. The verbal indiscipline we are experiencing is indicative of something worse. Please, let us respect each other," he added.
The gathering, attended by Catholic bishops from across Kenya, reinforced the church’s call for ethical leadership and accountability, especially as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Recent political exchanges have been marked by sharp insults, body-shaming, and name-calling, creating what many observers call a low point in Kenya’s political discourse. President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua have been central figures in these exchanges.
About twenty civil society organisations have criticised Ruto’s language, describing it as profane and divisive, and warning that it diminishes the dignity of the presidency. The president, however, has defended his statements, saying he is unapologetic and ready to confront opposition leaders directly.
