Some of Kenya's Bishops surrounding KCCB Chairman, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba

AFRICA

Kenyan Bishops condemn the killing of protestors and appeal for calm

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has condemned the killing of protesters, mostly young people, who have been demonstrating against a controversial government tax plan. They have also called for calm and expressed condolences to families who have lost loved ones.

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City.

News agencies on Wednesday described a tense calm in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, as the nation was left to take stock of the violent, deadly clashes that played out especially on Tuesday. Many Kenyans said they were in a state of shock at the turn of events.

The high cost of living

So far, 23 people have been killed in the unrest. Hundreds of others have been injured across Kenya’s major cities.

By late Wednesday, Kenyan media reported that President William Ruto had since declined to sign the highly contentious Finance Bill 2024. He has instead opted to send it back to parliament for more amendments. It is President Ruto’s most serious crisis since coming to power almost two years ago

In an address to the nation, Tuesday, the President called the rallies “treasonous” and deployed the military to help overwhelmed police. The judiciary has criticised the military deployment.

Simmering discontent over the rising cost of living spiralled out of control last week as lawmakers debated the tax hikes.

We plead with the President to listen

The Kenyan Bishops say their opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 and generally the trend towards excessive taxation of Kenyans is well known and on record.

“We plead with the President that he listens to the voices of so many and responds concretely to the current situation triggered by the proposed Finance bill,” said the Bishops while at the same time cautioning young people against violence and allowing themselves to be used by extreme elements.

“We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, have recently formally raised our very serious concerns on the Finance Bill to the Government. We appreciate that some major revisions were done to the draft bill responding to the suggestions from the public participation, but still feel that some of our important suggestions were not addressed. We call upon the legislators to be guided by their conscience in addressing this bill and the good of the Kenyans,” reads part of the Bishops’ Statement.

Time for introspection

The Bishops continues, “We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, understand the desperation of the young people. We have consistently called on the Government to be responsible for creating an environment in which young people can use their knowledge to create jobs, get employed, or pursue meaningful opportunities. We are yet to see a clear and well-defined roadmap to this end. The billions siphoned from taxpayer money, for example, are enough to employ thousands of youths,” said Kenya’s prelates.

The Bishops have since urged on the “President, the entire Government and the members of parliament” to seize the current crisis and use it for introspection. They appeal for “reflection and listening.”

Below is the full Statement of the Kenyan Bishops

BISHOPS' PRESS STATEMENT ON THE STATE OF THE NATION

GOD SAVE OUR BELOVED COUNTRY!

Matthew 25:40: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

The current situation that we are now witnessing, calls us to address the Nation and especially our dear young people. We also wish to speak clearly to our leadership, the President, the entire Government and the members of parliament. We appeal and plead that we have a moment of reflection and listening.

We are saddened that what started as lawful protests are degenerating into violent conflict. This was not the initial aim of the Genzee protests. We earnestly appeal to the police not to shoot to the protesters. We also appeal to the young people to remain peaceful. We condole with all those who have been shot dead and injured, and plead for calm. No one should lose his or her life.

We also need to advice against unconstitutional actions like attempting taking over parliament due to their serious consequences. Once more we are pleading for a peaceful and meaningful engagement for the good of our nation.

1. Excessive Taxation in the Contentious Finance Bill 2024/2025

The Finance Bill 2024/25, has elicited reactions mostly of resistance from Kenyans. If adopted in its current form it will add pain to many families who are already suffering the consequences of adopti ng the 2023/24 Finance Bill that was signed into law. We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, have recently formally raised our very serious concerns on the Finance Bill to the government. We apreciate that some major revisions were done to the draft bill responding to the suggestions from the public participation, but still feel that some of our important suggestions were not addressed. We call upon the legislators to be guided by their conscience in addressing this bill and the good of the Kenyans.

We emphasize that every citizen must pay taxes. But the Government must not overtax its citizens. And, it should not be in denial about its intended excessive taxation. The country is bleeding and therefore we invite the Government to reflect on this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

2. Gen Z on the Finance Bill

We understand therefore why the GenZees have taken to the streets to express their displeasure to the government. The young generation is alive to the negative impact punitive taxes have in their own lives. The government needs to face the plain truth that families are immensely suffering. Young people have reached a point of taking it upon themselves to express discontent with the insensitivity of the Government to these unwarranted taxes that only raise higher the cost of living. The Government must listen to the pain of its citizens caused by high cost of living. Ignoring them will only escalate tensions in the country and draw young people and citizenry into despair.

We plead with the President that he listens to the voices of so many, and respond concretely to the current situation, triggered by the proposed Finance bill.

3. Genuine Intent to Support Young People

We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, understand the desperation of the young people. We have consistently called on the Government to be responsible for creating an environment in which young people can use their knowledge to create jobs, get employed, or pursue meaningful opportunities. We are yet to see a clear and well-defined roadmap to this end. The billions siphoned from taxpayer money, for example, are enough to employ thousands of youths. In the absence of tangible initiatives, young people are right in expressing their desperation. They are not getting the promised jobs. They are not seeing a government that is committed to using the taxes it collects for justifiable ends, not pursuing the Corrupt. Their coming out to point out the challenges of the Government is therefore understandable and we commend them for being proactive citizens. We are encouraged and must applaud you, the young people, for keeping away from looting and violence. We appreciate that you have generated a slogan that “we are peaceful.”

This is a step in the right direction as affirmed in scripture: "The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion." (Psalm 11:5)

4. Purpose of Gen Z Protest Should be Respected

Even as we commend you GenZ for being proactive, we would like to advise that in themselves protests will not solve the problem of government insensitivity in addressing problems like the Finance Bill. With your creativity and innovative technology tools available, which you are using to organize yourselves and pass your message to the government, you need to consider more innovative approaches to draw constructive engagement to address the social and economic woes our country is facing. Do not give up on pursuing direct engagement with the government and other stakeholders. We also encourage patience as you engage.

As Bishops, we also have to warn you, young people, not to be misused for hidden interests by some of the people who may be interested to use your protests. While pursuing genuine concerns of unemployment, a bleak future, limited opportunities for self-development, and the fear of a shrinking economy there are people out there whose interests are to capitalize on your grievances to advance their agenda. We ask you to be on guard so that you may not be misused for goals that are not part of your genuine concerns.

5. Use of Excessive Force by the police

We, the Catholic Bishops, while appreciating several occasions the police have tried to act rightly, decry and condemn in the strongest terms, the use of force by the police, the arrests, and the indiscriminate and unnecessary use of live bullets.

Unwarranted attacks on peaceful protesters cannot be justified. The police have many ways to ensure protests remain peaceful. The police should focus on criminals who implant themselves in peaceful protests to create chaos and rob or destroy property. As a country, we have seen demonstrations and protests in the past. We know that police should ensure peaceful assemblies of any kind and not fuel violence and public hate towards the same police that are supposed to protect them. As a God-fearing nation, we should not forget Isaiah 1:17: which says "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Being police does not give one a license to take away innocent lives.

6. Places of Worship are Sacred

Remember places of worship are not our own. We can not pretend to take them as if they were ours. They are God’s space and therefore we can’t use them for any other agenda but that which relates to God. Churches accommodate people irrespective of their opinions or political standing. However, we emphasize that we the Catholic Bishops, have issued clear guidelines to our priests and pastoral agents not to use liturgical spaces for political agitation of any kind. All are welcome and should feel at home in our churches but respect the places of worship.

7. Intolerance on Controversial Issues

We are concerned that there have been expressions of intolerance during the protests. Young people, intolerance is a double-edged weapon that hurts the user as much as the victim. When we use threats and mob shaming as our weapons, towards people of different opinions we permit them to do likewise. Intolerance slowly breeds anarchy and is the seed of violence. Do express yourselves without threatening the families or the lives of those who don’t think like you! No one should take the law into their hands.

8. Condolences and Prayers to Affected Families during the Protests

We also send condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives during the protests. We also offer our sympathy and prayers to the policeman who lost his hands due to an accident with a teargas canister. Life is sacred and should be protected at all means. We appeal to IPOA to bring the police to book for the lives lost needlessly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, even in tempting times, we should always remember "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). As we seek justice for a fair tax regime, let us do so through peaceful means both by the citizens and the government.

We believe the President has the means and the will to bring back sanity to our Nation, by not signing the Finance Bill in to law for better participation, taking into account the voices of many Kenyans. Kenyans. our dear young people, our country belongs to all of us. Your lives are important to us. We plead with you to remain peaceful. We invite all Kenyans to pray for our country and for God to guide us and guide our hearts to restore order and peace.

The Statement has been Singed by, MOST. REV. MAURICE MUHATIA MAKUMBA CHAIRMAN – KCCB /KISUMU

Bishops Present

NAME DIOCESE

1. Most Rev. Anthony Muheria - Nyeri

- Apostolic Administrator of Embu

2. Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde - Mombasa

3. Most Rev. Philip Anyolo - Nairobi

4. Rt. Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa - Kisii

5. Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich - Kericho

6. Rt. Rev. Norman King’oo Wambua - Machakos

7. Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara - Marsabit

8. Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a - Aux Nairobi