By Bonface Musyoka
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has strongly criticised the conduct of political leaders, warning that increasing cases of verbal abuse and public insults are tarnishing the country’s image and weakening confidence in leadership.
Speaking during a reception of Joseph Mwongela as Coadjutor Bishop of Machakos Diocese, the KCCB chairman Most Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba urged politicians to embrace responsibility and uphold dignity in their public engagements.
Muhatia said the tone adopted by leaders in recent months has been deeply concerning, noting that Kenyans expect better from those entrusted with public office.
Muhatia further cautioned leaders against reckless speech, stressing the need for responsibility in public discourse.
“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,” Muhatia stated.
He warned that the reckless and offensive remarks are not only divisive but also harmful to young people who look up to leaders as role models, adding that such conduct risks discouraging future generations from aspiring to leadership.
The KCCB chairman emphasised that differences in opinion should not translate into personal attacks, urging leaders to engage respectfully even when they disagree.
He also called for restraint, cautioning that leaders must be mindful of their words and the broader impact they have on society.
In a pointed remark, Muhatia challenged politicians to keep their personal disputes away from the public arena and instead focus on their shared duty of nation-building.
The bishops further linked the rise in hostile political rhetoric to a worrying decline in leadership standards, warning that continued verbal indiscipline could deepen divisions within the country.
The event, attended by Catholic bishops from across the country, underscored the church’s call for accountable and ethical leadership amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The concerns come amid escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election, with senior leaders increasingly engaging in public exchanges characterised by insults and inflammatory language.
Recent confrontations between President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua have attracted criticism from civil society groups, which have accused top leaders of undermining the dignity of public office.
Despite the criticism, President Ruto has remained defiant, maintaining that he will not apologise for his remarks and is ready to confront his political opponents directly.
Religious leaders, through the KCCB, have now called for a shift in tone, urging politicians to prioritise respect, integrity and accountability as the country approaches a critical political period.
