Catholic bishops are simply asking leaders to be honest

President William Ruto at Tangaza University in Nairobi during the graduation ceremony on November 15, 2024. [PCS]

Thursday’s press conference by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) continues to elicit varied reactions from the political class. The KCCB appreciated the government’s efforts in ensuring peace and stability but issued a strongly-worded press conference entitled “Let Us Restore Hope”, expressing their concerns over “the troubling political climate that has gripped Kenya.”

The bishops lamented lack of clear responses from the government despite several statements from them. This time though, the government’s responses were fast and furious, with counter accusations that KCCB is out of touch with reality. The government said it had paid debts left by NHIF to the Catholic-managed health facilities, and promised to pay the rest next week. The State also sought to remind the church that Senate had already rejected a Bill to extend elected leaders’ terms to seven years.

The government responses, however, did not address most of the issues and concerns raised by KCCB.

The bishops spoke to the anxiety gripping many Kenyans over their security and violations of human rights, including the stifling of dissent and criticisms against the government, escalating cases of femicide, loss of trust in the government, runaway corruption and politics of self-interests, “insensitivity and irresponsibility” from elected leaders, injustice, abuses of office and authority, abductions, torture, enforced disappearances and police brutality, culture of lies which has replaced integrity, respect for Kenyans, unkept promises, unreasonable over taxation, youth unemployment, failure to constitute IEBC, failure of the new funding model for public universities, challenges of SHA and misplaced priorities.

Separately, the Opposition decried the government’s failure to implement the September 26 return-to-work formula for public universities signed by UASU, IPUCCF, and the Ministries of Labour and Education, and demanded that the new Students-Centred Funding Model for public universities be withdrawn and capitation be released to them to avoid total collapse of public university education.

Kenyans want leaders who are honest, demonstrate integrity and keep promises. They want leaders who are not afraid of the truth and who stand up for what they believe in. Kenyans want ethical leaders with wisdom, understanding, just and fair, with humility and self-control; leaders who value authenticity. Kenyans yearn for expert leaders ready to engage with them and willing to solve their problems fairly; who listen and consider the viewpoints of everyone in order to make the best decisions.

Honesty helps build trust, which is essential for effective leadership, encouraging feedback and even criticisms while ensuring accountability, building credibility and creating a culture of honesty and integrity. The Internet is replete with these and other qualities of good leadership, all adding up to servant leadership, respect for others, the ability to form productive connections and building bridges with others. A good leader knows the value of mutually beneficial relationships, and actively seeks them out.

Leaders of the Opposition, the free media, KCCB and civil society are calling truth to power and reminding the government and political leaders that they must obey and implement the Constitution, allow for genuine public participation, listen to the cries of the people and have mercy on them, while engendering consensus building.

The people are demanding respect and adherence to the rule of law, transparency and responsiveness from their leaders, equity and equality in accessing opportunities, effectiveness and efficiency in delivery of goods and services.

The government needs to ensure the sovereign authority and power donated to them by the people are used to regulate our economic and social resources for development. The government should aim to end impunity and minimise corruption, considering the opinions of minorities, listening to the voices of the oppressed people in the decision-making processes, and responding actively to the needs of the community now and in the future.

By releasing capitation and funding to public universities and keeping its promise made to the staff of public universities in the return-to-work-formula of  September 26, the government will restore trust and demonstrate honesty.