MPs have hit back at Catholic bishops for labelling them as corrupt and challenged the clerics to submit evidence against them to investigative agencies.
Majority leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah told the bishops to also name any legislator they deem to be corrupt.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on Thursday launched scathing criticism against the government, saying it was out of touch with reality, and accused elected leaders of dabbling in corruption.
“We are troubled by their heightened insensitivity and irresponsibility in carrying out their tasks, allowing themselves to be captured and compromised in corrupt deals,” the men of cloth said in a hard-hitting statement.
The prelates said the legislators have abdicated their duty to serve the people, an undertaking they’re paid well for, and were now conversely engaged in graft in all its forms and shapes.
“Corruption may not always involve financial benefits, but the unjust use of position and authority, or abuse of office. The massive greed we are witnessing is shocking and heartbreaking,” the clergy led by KCCB chair Rev Maurice Makumba said.
In response, Ichung’wah challenged the bishops to table evidence against any elected leader they feel is corrupt, or at least, name them.
“Dear Catholic bishops, let us all be honest. If you have any information on corrupt legislators, please furnish information to investigative agencies or just name them and shame them,” he said.
The MP further accused the clergy of peddling falsehoods regarding a bill that proposed the extension of terms for elected leaders from the current five to seven years.
The bishops in their statement questioned the motivation behind such an agenda, terming it “retrogressive and manipulative thinking”.
“A two-term limit of ten years, as given by the current Constitution, is ample time for any visionary political leader to leave a strong legacy if they perform. Let us not create problems where there are none,” they said.
Ichung’wah dismissed their concern as irrelevant saying the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei died even before it made its way to the floor of the House.
“On this Cherargei bill that died in the Senate for lack of support, how does a dead private member’s bill find its way in your statement?” he posed.
“My Lord Bishops, the drafter of this statement is portraying you either as liars or as politically partisan people seeking to play to a political gallery.”
Ichung’wah’s counterpart in the Senate, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, echoed his sentiments regarding the abortive term extension bid.
He said claims by the bishops that the bill was being considered by legislators were inaccurate.
Cheruiyot said the majority UDA party dissociated itself from the proposed piece of legislation, which was subsequently also trashed by Kenyans during public participation carried out by the Senate.
“On the 31st of October 2024, the Senate Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs unanimously rejected the bill, marking the end of the road for the life of the Bill. The Clergy must avoid being purveyors of propaganda, fake news, and falsehoods,” he said.
On claims that some MPs are corrupt, Cheruiyot equally challenged the bishops to table evidence to that effect instead of making blanket accusations.
“It is unfortunate that religious leaders are resorting to sweeping generalities. If they have an issue with an individual leader; they should seek redress through the relevant constitutional agencies instead of condemning the entire legislature,” he said.
