Act now, religious leaders tell Ruto

By Khery Apondi

Religious leaders in Nyanza want President William Ruto to act now, towards resolving challenges afflicting Kenyans.  

The Nyanza clerics in an address to the press in Kisumu on Monday said the country has slipped into a state of totalitarianism, with oppression becoming the order of the day.  

In a hard-hitting statement, the clergy said ‘we are in a country we don’t want.’

"Every leader is called to serve not to oppress his/her people. Good leadership is that which makes the poor thrive, the sick well, the weak gain strength, the outcast accommodated, the oppressed liberated,” they stated.

“Wicked leadership is that which makes people shed tears instead of giving a smile, the sick die because they cannot afford the cost of treatment, the poor sink into oblivion because there is no hope for them, those from politically incorrect regions are punished because of their political decisions. This is the Kenya we have. This is the Kenya we do not want. This is the Kenya we must pray for.”

They urged President Ruto to address issues ‘pressing Kenyans against the wall’, before it is too late, including implementation of Competence Based Curriculum (CBC), university funding and funding of county governments, amongst others.

They threatened to lead Kenyans in civil disobedience targeted at the boycott of tax payment, if county governments are not funded in a manner that supports the growth of devolution.

“It is a pity that as the revenue collection is rising, the government is deliberately starving the Counties of funds as a calculated way to undermine the functionality of the County governments. Funds will never be enough to solve all our problems, however, equity in funds allocation is critical for a transparent and accountable system and must be adhered to.”

“This systematic degradation of our devolution must be resisted. For this reason, we may call Kenyans to exercise civil disobedience that might lead to refusal to pay taxes,” they warned.

The statement was signed by among others, David Kodia, ACK Bishop of Bondo, Patrick Ligawa, Archbishop Church of Christ in Africa, Betty Onyango, Archbishop African Israel Nineveh, Winnie Owiti, Archbishop Voice of Salvation and Healing Church and Bishop Clement Otieno, Free Pentecostal Church of Kenya among others.