Religious Leaders in Kenya Concerned about Protracted Conflicts among Politicians

Nairobi, 06 March, 2024 / 9:45 PM

A section of religious leaders in Kenya have expressed concern about the recurring public conflicts between Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and other political leaders.

In a statement, representatives of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) in Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, and Kajiado Counties say politicians need to follow proper procedures in addressing disputes among themselves.

“We are particularly alarmed at the intolerant relationship between the executive and some Members of the County Assembly. This has been witnessed in the verbal and physical attacks against each other,” they say in the statement published on March 4.

The religious leaders say, “In the constitution of Kenya, the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary were created separately to provide checks and balances to ensure justice. Progressively tearing down these boundaries results in a loss of confidence in the institutions of governance.”

MCAs across the country have, on several occasions, clashed among themselves and other leaders.  

On February 21, MCAs from Kisii County were in a near fistfight while debating a motion to impeach the county’s Deputy Governor. 

Similarly, on February 20, MCAs from opposing camps in Laikipia County engaged in physical fights over plans to eject Minority Leader Sammy Lekopien Parletto.

The religious leaders call on politicians to “bring to an end to the public attacks on each other.”

“Where there is suspicion of corruption and misappropriation of funds, let proper procedures be followed to have them investigated and necessary action taken,” they say. 

The religious leaders urge MCAs and members of the public to “be free to hold the Executive accountable as provided in the constitution.”

In their statement, the religious leaders also express concern about the high cost of living in the East African nation saying, “The soaring cost of commodities coupled with dwindling expendable income, has pushed more Kenyans below the poverty line.”

They add that the collapse of big and small businesses has exponentially raised unemployment levels in the country.

“This situation is unsustainable regardless of any macro-level economic measures being put in place,” they say, adding that to remedy the situation, county governors must provide reprieve for the people by lowering business permits and levies.

They say the lowering of business permits will provide a favorable business environment for growth, which they say will in turn increase tax income without unnecessarily aggravating the people.