The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has expressed strong support for the recent statement issued by Catholic clergy that criticized President William Ruto’s administration. In a statement signed by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, the ACK rejected media reports suggesting a rift between the Anglican Church and the Catholic bishops on key national issues.
“The Anglican Church of Kenya takes great exception to media reports implying we do not support the Catholic bishops’ stand on critical national issues,” Archbishop Ole Sapit said. “We believe that the government is yet to turn around the country and steer it in the right direction.”
The ACK also condemned the attacks on Catholic bishops, asserting that their statement was a true reflection of the public’s sentiments. Ole Sapit emphasized that church leaders have a duty to speak truth to power, especially when it comes to holding the government accountable.
“Calling church leaders names or dismissing the bishops’ statement as ‘misleading, erroneous and false,’ is itself dishonest. The bishops have spoken the minds of Kenyans and faithfully expressed the truth as things are on the ground. No amount of attacks or intimidation will deter the church from calling out evil and speaking the truth to power,” he stated.
Echoing concerns raised by the Catholic bishops, the ACK highlighted a range of issues within President Ruto’s administration, including punitive taxes, impunity, human rights abuses, and inefficiencies in government programs. The church particularly criticized the new university funding model, describing public universities as “barely functioning” due to delays in capitation. The transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) was also called out for causing “untold suffering” among Kenyans.
The ACK further held the government accountable for the rise in unexplained abductions, forced disappearances, and unresolved murders. “Kenyans have suffered unexplained abductions, forced disappearances and unresolved murders. Who should be held responsible if not the government?” asked Ole Sapit.
