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“Deliver on your mandate with integrity, decorum”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya to President

Bishop Michael Odiwa of Kenya's Homabay Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay in Kenya has urged President William Samoei Ruto to live up to the pledges he made to Kenyans as detailed in his political manifesto, and to realize his presidential mandate with “integrity and decorum”.

Speaking during the launch of the affordable housing project in Homa Bay County covered by his Episcopal See on Friday, January 13, Bishop Michael Cornelius Odiwa lauded Kenya’s 5th President for honoring his promise to visit the Kenyan County to facilitate the realization of such a “mega project”.

“It is our plea, your Excellency, that as you placed before Kenyans a manifesto detailing your plan and course of action as President, you will keep to your word and deliver on your mandate with the integrity and decorum that your resolve and the nature of responsibility that you assumed demand,” Bishop Odiwa said in the message that was published on Facebook.

He expressed gratitude to the Head of State for visiting Homa Bay County and said the project whose realization the President was facilitating "will enable members of our society to secure affordable housing.”

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop who presided over the opening prayer during the launch of the affordable housing initiative described the project “as one of its kind in our region.” 

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He said, “We are grateful to God for enabling us to initiate such a fortune for our people.”

The launch of the housing project and other initiatives “is squarely a core responsibility of any serious government; to guard, protect and provide for her people," said the 60-year-old Catholic Bishop who has been at the helm of the Kenyan Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in February 2021

The Church looks at the launch of the housing project as an example of “a fundamental option for the poor,” Bishop Odiwa said.

“For us as the Catholic Church, this is a mark of love and a fundamental option for the poor, as a way of empowering the society," he said during the event that was attended by Hon. Gladys Wanga, the governor of the county among other government officials.

Bishop Odiwa expressed optimism that the housing project will bear fruits.

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“It is our prayer that all will be well and the good work that has been inaugurated today will come to fruition and ultimately benefit us in various economic and entrepreneurial respects,” he said in his January 13 message.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop promised to pray for the President as he strives to deliver on his manifesto to the people of God.

“We will pray for you and the country at large as well as promise to work together with the elected leaders for the realization of Vision 2030 in all its aspects,” said the 3rd Bishop of Homabay Diocese.

He added, “We thank the leadership of our beautiful County of Homa Bay led by Hon. Gladys Wanga, the Governor, for enabling this dream to come true. Keep up the spirit and fill engaged in the development agenda of the County with the zeal of a Zealot, if you may call it so.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.