Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria. PHOTO/SCREENGRAB Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria has urged the government to shift its focus from aggressive publicity campaigns promoting its programs and instead concentrate on fulfilling its promises to Kenyans.
The outspoken Archbishop expressed concern that the government has recently been more engaged in public relations stunts and promotional campaigns to showcase its projects while making new promises, rather than delivering on its commitments.
He criticized the Kenya Kwanza government for failing to fulfil many of its pledges and likened its approach to that of an advertising agency.
Speaking to the media at Consolata Mathari Hospital on Friday, Archbishop Muheria warned that the government was spending excessive resources on discussing its projects rather than implementing them.
"There needs to be less rhetoric. Stop advertising what
you plan to do—act! The government is not an advertising agency; it is an
agency that implements actions, and that’s what we want to see," he said.
"We want a government that follows rules and systems, not one that devotes all its machinery to publicity. I wish we could put an end to the insults, noise, and demeaning statements and instead begin to appreciate one another."
Muheria also raised concerns about the Social Health
Authority (SHA) scheme, stating that the system is still not functioning
properly, leaving the country's healthcare services in crisis.
"Despite efforts to improve healthcare services, we are still constrained by the payment delays from the defunct NHIF and the SHA. Unfortunately, these systems are not yet operational," he noted.
"As a result, the government owes us (Consolata Mathari Hospital) over Sh250 million. This debt has remained unpaid for the last four years. We plead and cry for help, but we continue to receive non-committal responses."
However, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the government, emphasizing that informing the public is a crucial part of its responsibility to update citizens on progress and policy implementation.
"The government's role includes public participation. Some may not want us to engage, but that is not an option. According to the Constitution, we are required to involve the public and inform them about what is being done," Mudavadi explained during the burial of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s father on Friday in Kilifi County.
"Therefore, calling the government an advertising agency is misleading Kenyans. It is the government’s duty to communicate with its citizens."
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also castigated Muheria for equating the Kenya Kwanza administration to an advertising agency.
Kindiki said the government is mandated by the Constitution to tell Kenya about its development progammes and plans.
“It is our duty to inform the country our planned activities. We must tell Kenyans when those activities are being implemented and to inform the country after those activities have been implemented,” he stated.
Wetang’ula asked Muheria to stick to his lane, and use language that unites the people.
“It is very difficult to rattle people and for them not to answer you back, sometimes in a manner that may not be appropriate,” he stated.
Wetang’ula added that by stating that the government is not an advertising agency, Muheria could have not read the Constitution well.
“As a government, we have a duty to continue broadcasting whatever we do for all Kenyans to know.
