The Catholic Church has voiced significant concerns regarding ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by the police, urging security personnel to honor the constitution.
The Kenya Catholic Bishops Conference condemned violations of human dignity, highlighting the excessive force used against unarmed citizens, along with instances of harassment and arbitrary arrests.
They expressed deep alarm over the diminishing civic and democratic space within the nation.
In a statement released during the launch of this year’s Lenten campaign, the bishops asserted that genuine peace cannot coexist with injustice.
This event took place at the Immaculate Conception Shrine in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar on Friday.
Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and charity, commences on Ash Wednesday.
The bishops articulated their profound concern regarding the escalating violations of human rights, including the excessive use of force by security agencies, arbitrary arrests, and the harassment of citizens, as well as the contraction of civic and democratic space.
They expressed particular dismay over incidents where peaceful gatherings, including those in places of worship, have faced violence and intimidation from hired individuals, often in the presence of security officers.
The bishops emphasized that churches are sacred spaces deserving of respect, stating, “Launching tear gas canisters at worshippers inside a church constitutes a grave violation of the constitutional right to worship, as outlined in Article 32 of the Constitution of Kenya. We demand a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of all individuals involved in political thuggery, including their backers.”
The clerics condemned the use of force against unarmed individuals, including women, children, and the elderly, deeming such actions utterly unacceptable.
They called for unwavering respect for the constitution, adherence to the rule of law, and the independence of institutions charged with protecting human rights.
The bishops affirmed that human dignity is central to Catholic social teaching, rooted in the belief that every person is created in the image and likeness of God; thus, dignity is inherent, inviolable, and non-negotiable.
“It is neither granted by the state nor can it be rescinded by any authority. Yet, many Kenyans endure daily indignities stemming from poverty, unemployment, hunger, corruption, insecurity, and limited access to quality healthcare, education, water, and housing. A nation cannot claim progress while a significant portion of its populace lives without hope or opportunity. Development that excludes the poor is neither just nor sustainable.”
As the nation approaches the next electoral cycle, the clerics expressed their grave concerns over the current premature campaigns and political mobilization.
“This early scramble for positions ahead of the 2027 general election is troubling, rife with inflammatory rhetoric, political thuggery, and violence. We urge leaders to cease these premature campaigns, as they distract from their duty to serve the people and risk escalating tensions within the country.”
The bishops highlighted that persistent governance challenges continue to plague the nation. These issues include entrenched corruption, the misuse of public resources, weak accountability mechanisms, selective enforcement of the rule of law, inadequate delivery of essential services, and a rising public debt that unjustly burdens both current and future generations.
