Anthony Muheria, the Catholic Archbishop of Nyeri, has urged political leaders to “mature up” and refrain from trading verbal insults, warning that public spats between government and opposition figures are diverting attention from the real issues affecting Kenyans.
Archbishop Muheria criticised the growing culture of public exchanges, saying it is undermining meaningful discourse and called on leaders to exercise restraint while prioritising service delivery.
Defence of the Church’s Role
The archbishop also defended the role of religious leaders in national debates, addressing politicians who have criticised clergy for speaking out against political intolerance. “Religious leaders have a duty to promote unity and call out misconduct in leadership,” Muheria said.
He urged citizens to hold leaders accountable: “In our message today, we urge Kenyans to stand firm and tell off leaders who are trading insults instead of serving the people.”
Context
His remarks come amid heightened debate over the involvement of clergy in political matters, following comments by William Ruto, who cautioned religious leaders against politicising the pulpit. Archbishop Muheria emphasised that the church will continue speaking on national issues, particularly those affecting social cohesion, governance, and ethical leadership.
The statement underscores ongoing concerns about political rhetoric in Kenya, highlighting the growing call for civility, accountability, and focus on policies that directly impact citizens’ lives.
