By Patrick Chiriba
President William Ruto has called for unity and constructive dialogue following sharp criticism from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) over governance and social issues in the country.
Speaking at the Tangaza University graduation in Nairobi, President Ruto urged leaders, clergy, and citizens to collaborate in building a better Kenya.
“And I want to ask all of us—leaders, clergy, Kenyans—to work together towards a nation that we can all be proud of. Even as we engage in public discourse on matters that are important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual, lest we become victims of the things we are accusing others of doing,” he said.
In a post on social media later, the President echoed this sentiment:
“We are all united in the service of the people. That is why we are working with all leaders—the clergy included—towards a Kenya we can all be proud of. But even as we seek to hold each other accountable, we must endeavor to be constructive and factual.”
Bishops’ Criticism Sparks Government Defense
President Ruto’s remarks come in the wake of a strongly worded statement by the Catholic bishops, who raised concerns about political wrangling, corruption, human rights violations, and failures in healthcare and education.
In their statement, KCCB accused the government of broken promises, over-taxation, and neglect of critical sectors, including education and healthcare.
The bishops also expressed outrage over reported abductions, disappearances, and killings during the June 2024 protests against the Finance Bill, calling on the government to uphold human rights and protect lives.
In a series of responses on Thursday, the Ministries of Education and Health and the National Police Service dismissed the bishops’ claims as exaggerated and defended their track records.
Catholic bishops during a past media engagement. (Photo: Courtesy)
Education Reforms “On Course”
The Ministry of Education defended its implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and rejected the bishops' claims that it is "crumbling."
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government has significantly invested in implementing the curriculum since its rollout in 2017.
“In terms of infrastructure, the construction of the 16,000 classrooms required for Grade 9 is at an advanced stage. The Government has allocated a total of sh17.6 billion for the completion of these classrooms by December 2024,” Ogamba stated.
He added: “The Government has also employed a record 56,950 teachers for Junior School. A total of 46,000 intern teachers will be employed on permanent and pensionable terms by January 2025. A further 20,000 teachers are being recruited and will be in place by January 2025.”
CS Ogamba also noted that concerns about the Higher Education Student Funding Model were being addressed through ongoing stakeholder consultations.
“We request our Catholic clergy not to condemn a whole education that has over 11 million learners,” the CS said.
Healthcare Debts to Hospitals Addressed
The Ministry of Health refuted allegations that faith-based healthcare providers had been neglected, noting that over sh5 billion shillings had already been disbursed to providers under the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
“It is worth noting that the defunct NHIF had contracts with 8,886 facilities, encompassing public, private and faith-based organisations. 312 of these facilities are owned by faith-based organisations, representing 3.5% of all contracted providers,” said Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa.
Dr. Barasa reiterated the government’s commitment to transparent, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all citizens.
Security Measures and Human Rights Concerns
The National Police Service (NPS) addressed accusations of human rights violations, including abductions, disappearances, and rising cases of violence against women.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja reported progress in investigating abductions and killings, stating that 22 of the 57 missing persons reported during the protests had been found alive.
IG Kanja also announced the establishment of a Missing Persons Unit at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
“Gender Desks at police stations nationwide are on high alert to deal swiftly with any cases of gender-based violence,” Kanja added.
The IG also stated that they are collaborating with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and DPP on police misconduct cases.
What next?
The contrasting narratives from the Catholic bishops and the government have sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans. While some have commended the government's detailed responses, others question whether they adequately address the bishops' concerns.
KCCB's statement adds pressure on President Ruto's administration to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing the nation's challenges.
As tensions simmer, the President’s call for unity and factual dialogue could set the tone for future engagements between the government and religious leaders.
