Catholic Bishops Demand Ruto To Repeal Finance Act

Catholic Bishops on Wednesday, July 19 urged President William Ruto to repeal the Finance Act, 2023 arguing that this would help reduce the political standoff across the country.

During a media address in Karen, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) led by Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria lamented that the Act will bring about an unnecessary burden on Kenyans already struggling to make ends meet.

“We realize that many Kenyans are struggling to afford essential goods and services to secure stable employment or are facing financial hardships that affect education and healthcare access.

"Within this background, the recently enacted Finance Act 2023 places an unsustainable burden on already distressed citizens especially those within the low-income bracket," they expressed in a statement.

Catholic bishops during a press conference on July 19, 2023. /FACEBOOK

The bishop, in their passionate appeal to the President, added "We, therefore, ask the President to repeal the Finance Act 2023 and institute a process that will seek to achieve the same goals within the current economic context."

Muheria on his part noted that the high cost of living was the major factor driving Kenyans to take to the streets as they had no other avenue to air their grievances.

“The high cost of living has created a burden on individuals and families making it difficult for them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living," Bishop Muheria said.

Mombasa Archbishop Kivuva Musonde further called for dialogue between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, urging the two leaders to embrace it.

He remarked that the parliamentary bipartisan talks should resume in a different context such that there should be an inclusion of religious leaders and eminent persons and bodies.

Musonde also urged Kenyans to engage in peaceful demonstrations and further urged protestors to air their grievances and concerns without harming themselves as well as others.

“We are calling for the leaders and the country to embrace non-violent ways to demand our needs.

“We condemn what we have seen as simmering ethnic-based violence spotted in parts of our country,” he added.

Side-by-side image of President William Ruto (right) and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga (left). /PCS.RAILA ODINGA