The Kenya Catholic Conference Bishops have urged President William Ruto to listen to the plea of Kenyans and withdraw the Finance Bill 2023.
In a statement, the Catholic Bishops advised that Kenyans are facing a grave economic situation due to the high cost of living that has made it difficult to afford decent standards of living.
“We therefore ask the president to repeal the Finance Act and seek to institute a process that will achieve the same goal within the context of the current economic situation,” said Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria.
According to the clerics, the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 will distress Kenyans who are grappling with affording essential goods and securing stable employment that will enable them face financial hardships.
“The social economic distress is real, we do realise that part of the disappointment and disillusionment of Kenyans that is leading to the agitation and anger is the severe economic distress,” said Muheria.
Mombasa Archbishop Kivuva Musonde further called for dialogue between President William Ruto and Azimio Leader Raila Odinga.
“The high cost of living has created a burden on individuals and families making it difficult for them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living,” Bishop Muheria said.
“Within this background, the recently enacted Finance Act places an unsustainable burden on already distressed citizens especially those within the low-income bracket,” he added.
The Catholic Bishop reading from the script with Azimio La Umoja coalition who have staged mass rallies against a government he says is illegitimate and to blame for a cost-of-living crisis.
Schools have been closed and shops shuttered in Nairobi and other cities, where protesters have been urged to bang pots and march in an act of defiance.
