Kenya’s Catholic Bishops praise peace but warn of threats to life, marriage, education, and corruption, urging unity and voter registration.
Newsroom (17/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have commended the government for sustaining relative peace while raising alarm over growing threats to human life, the institution of marriage, and critical public systems.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, April 16, at Donum Dei, Roussel House in Karen, the Bishops acknowledged the country’s stability amid global unrest, even as they warned that international conflicts are beginning to affect Kenya’s socio-economic landscape.
“We thank God for the relative peace in our country, aware that many parts of the world lack this peace. We in particular pray for peace in the Middle East and anywhere else where people are suffering due to wars,” the Bishops said.
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for global reconciliation, they stressed the urgency of dialogue in resolving conflicts. “Pope Leo XIV, while addressing the warring nations, has invited us to pray for peace and build bridges of reconciliation. The voice of the Holy Father is the true voice of peace. Dialogue should be given a chance,” they said.
The Bishops warned that ongoing wars have triggered a socio-economic crisis with ripple effects already being felt in Kenya. “This war has caused a socio-economic crisis, which has already trickled down to our Nation. We hope and pray that our government will mitigate these effects,” they added.
Beyond global concerns, the Church leaders expressed deep unease over domestic challenges, particularly the erosion of the institution of marriage. They described marriage as the foundation of a stable and balanced society and criticized inefficiencies in civil registration systems.
“These conditions have discouraged many from contracting marriage, as the statistics show. This is bound to cause a moral dent to society, and risks depriving the weaker spouses of their legal rights,” they said, urging the country to uphold Article 45 of the Constitution. “When our families and the institution of marriage are strong, our society thrives.”
The Bishops also decried what they termed a growing disregard for human life, citing disturbing incidents involving the discovery of bodies in places such as Kilifi and Kericho.
“The discovery of bodies of men, women, and children in gunny bags in Binzaro in Kilifi, and Kericho is deeply disturbing because they show the total disregard for the sanctity and value of human life,” they said. “We in Kenya seem to have become insensitive to incidents of killings and the destruction of life. This is totally unacceptable and shameful.”
They further criticized the apparent lack of sustained investigations into such cases, noting that many are quickly forgotten. “People are dying, and life seems to continue as if nothing has happened. Investigations on killings fizzle out very quickly… It is very sad that this happens because the victims were poor and seemingly unimportant,” they added.
The Bishops also raised concern over rising cases of human trafficking, calling for heightened vigilance to protect vulnerable populations, especially children. “We ask the relevant authorities to heighten their vigilance and stop human trafficking,” they urged.
On education, the Church leaders questioned the rollout of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, describing it as poorly designed and inadequately implemented.
“We cannot place our children in a constant mode of experimentation,” they said. “The system seems poorly thought-out and is being poorly implemented. What is obvious is that there was little study, design, and thinking-through of the entire CBE system.”
They emphasized that while CBE was introduced to prioritize practical skills, creativity, and critical thinking, its capital-intensive nature requires resources that have not been sufficiently provided. “It requires more teachers, equipment, and financing,” they noted.
Additionally, the Bishops warned against attempts to undermine the role of sponsors in educational institutions, stressing their importance in preserving ethical standards. “The rightful role of the Sponsors in our institutions should be guaranteed so as to defend ethical and value content in the education system,” they said.
Corruption emerged as another central concern, with the Bishops condemning entrenched systems of graft and impunity. They pointed to cartels, kickbacks, and the illegal acquisition of land, including recent attempts to dispossess Catholic sisters of their property in Karen.
“We see no serious commitment or intent to fight the monster of corruption. The goodwill to fight corruption from the top is wanting yet Kenyans continue to pay taxes faithfully,” they said.
They called on citizens to take collective responsibility in combating corruption from the grassroots. “Only we, as citizens acting together, will be able to break the chain of corruption,” they emphasized.
Looking ahead to the August 2027 General Elections, the Bishops urged Kenyans—particularly young people—to register as voters, describing the voter’s card as a crucial tool for shaping leadership and improving governance.
“A voter’s card is your only voice in determining our leadership, and an essential tool in improving government service delivery,” they said. “We particularly appeal to our young people to make all efforts to get a voter’s card… Don’t let anyone or anything discourage you.”
Despite the challenges, the Bishops expressed confidence in the country’s resilience, underscoring faith as Kenya’s greatest strength.
“That faith can bring from all of us the courage and energy to overcome the evil trends, and help us bring out the good ones,” they said.
They concluded with a call for unity, moral responsibility, and continued prayer for the nation. “The challenges before us are surmountable when we remain united… so that justice, peace, and protection of life will always flourish.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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