Catholic bishops condemn violence in places of worship, demand probe

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has condemned the rising incidents of violence and intimidation in places of worship, warning that such actions undermine constitutional freedoms and threaten national cohesion.

Speaking during the launch of this year’s Lenten Campaign at the Immaculate Conception Shrine in Lodwar Diocese, the bishops decried cases where peaceful gatherings, including church services, have allegedly been disrupted by hired goons in the presence of security officers.

They demanded thorough investigations and prosecution of individuals involved in political thuggery, including their sponsors, and condemned the use of force against unarmed citizens.

“Lobbing tear gas canisters at worshippers inside the church is a gross violation of the constitutional right to worship provided under Article 32 of the Constitution of Kenya,” the bishops said in a joint statement signed by KCCB Chairman, Most Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba.

“The use of force against unarmed citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, is unacceptable and we unequivocally condemn such heinous acts.”

The bishops expressed concern over what they described as increased violation of human rights, including excessive use of force by security agencies, arbitrary arrests and harassment of citizens.

They also warned against the shrinking civic and democratic space, saying true peace cannot exist without justice.

Beyond security concerns, the clergy also raised alarm over premature political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.

They cautioned leaders against engaging in inflammatory rhetoric, ethnic profiling and incitement, noting that such actions risk plunging the country into unnecessary tension.

“This early jostling for positions ahead of the 2027 General Election is disturbing because it is riddled with inflammatory rhetoric, political thuggery and violence,” the bishops stated.

They urged leaders to exercise restraint and focus on service delivery, emphasising that public office is a sacred trust and not an avenue for self-enrichment.

On governance, the bishops cited entrenched corruption, misuse of public resources, weak accountability mechanisms and rising public debt as key challenges facing the country.

They called for strengthened transparency, robust accountability and responsible management of public finances to safeguard both present and future generations.

The Church also encouraged county and national leaders to uphold human dignity by addressing poverty, unemployment and limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, water and housing.

Consequently, as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle, the bishops urged Parliament to fast-track electoral reforms and called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to begin early preparations, including nationwide voter education and mass voter registration.

The clergy further encouraged young people to actively participate in civic and political processes, describing youth involvement as critical to national renewal.