President William Ruto has fired back at Catholic bishops who have criticised his administration, urging them to remain factual in their public statements to avoid spreading misinformation.
Speaking on Friday at a graduation ceremony at Tangaza University, an institution owned by the Catholic Church, Ruto appealed to religious leaders to work with the government to foster national unity and build a stronger Kenya.
While the President did not directly name the bishops in his remarks, his comments came in response to a scathing statement by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), who had raised concerns over his administration’s handling of several issues, including taxation, corruption, and unfulfilled promises.
“Even as we engage in public discourse on matters important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual, lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing… I know you, I know what I mean,” Ruto said.
On Thursday, the bishops slammed the government over its fiscal policies, particularly the burden of taxation on citizens, and its failure to honour its promises, including payments to essential service providers.
They also raised concerns over the alleged abductions by state security agencies and the deteriorating state of the country’s healthcare sector, especially faith-based hospitals, which they claim are owed billions by the government in unpaid dues.
While acknowledging the importance of taxation for government revenue, the KCCB urged the government to address the plight of vulnerable communities, particularly concerning unpaid bills owed to faith-based institutions.
