ACK Joins Catholic Bishops in Criticizing Ruto’s Government.
The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has endorsed the Catholic Church’s recent critique of President William Ruto’s administration.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) had issued a joint statement last week condemning the government for perpetuating lies, corruption, unfulfilled promises, and misplaced priorities.
The Catholic bishops, representing the largest Christian denomination in Kenya, accused Ruto’s administration of greed and selfishness.
They pointed out that the government had ignored pressing issues like over-taxation, crises in education and healthcare, and rising youth unemployment.
ACK’s Response to Speculation
The Catholic bishops’ strong stance and the ACK’s initial silence led to speculation that the Anglican Church might disagree with the Roman Catholic Church’s position.
However, on Monday, ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit clarified that the Anglican Church fully supports the Catholic bishops’ critique of the government.
Join Teachers Updates on Facebook
He dismissed the government’s response, which labeled the bishops’ statement as misleading, erroneous, and false.
Sapit emphasized that the bishops had expressed the true sentiments of Kenyans and vowed that no amount of intimidation would silence the Church’s advocacy for justice and truth.
The Anglican Church joined the Catholic bishops in denouncing issues like the flawed university funding model and the chaotic transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Sapit highlighted unresolved issues such as forced disappearances, unexplained abductions, and unsolved murders, questioning the government’s accountability for these incidents.
He urged Kenyans not to rely solely on prayers for miracles but to demand transparency, accountability, and urgent action, especially in critical areas like healthcare.
Government’s Defense and Promises
The Catholic bishops’ statement elicited defensive responses from government entities, including the Health and Education Ministries and the Inspector General of Police.
Some officials accused the Catholic Church of ignoring the administration’s achievements.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja defended President Ruto, arguing that solving long-standing problems in two years was unrealistic.
President Ruto later acknowledged the clergy’s concerns, pledging to address the issues raised.
During the June-July anti-government protests over high taxation and the rising cost of living, Sapit appealed to Kenyan youth to halt demonstrations and give the government time to respond to their grievances.
“We demand transparency, greater accountability, time-bound plans, and urgent interventions in such services as especially medical care, which cannot wait,” he added.
He also urged Ruto to cut government expenditure, prioritize essential services, overhaul the university funding model, and appoint individuals of integrity to key government positions.
On Monday, Sapit reiterated that excessive talk and unfulfilled promises would no longer suffice. He called for decisive action to steer the country in the right direction.
ACK Joins Catholic Bishops in Criticizing Ruto’s Government.
