Kenya’s Religious Leaders Denounce “murderous chaos”, Call for Constitutionalism, “meaningful prosecutions”

Nairobi, 11 July, 2025 / 3:48 PM

Recent successive street demonstrations in various Kenyan cities and townships have degenerated into “murderous chaos” with reported loss of human life, injuries and destruction of property, members of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) have lamented.

In their Wednesday, July 9 statement, the religious leaders, who include representatives of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) call for constitutionalism and justice for victims of the violent protests that were initially peaceful discontent with the controversial proposed Finance Bill 2024.

“Kenya is in a very sad and dangerous state. The fight by the dominant political elite to acquire, protect, and consolidate political and economic power is tearing our nation apart with unprecedented tension, violence, and killing of innocent citizens,” IRCK members say.

They lament that the President William Samoei Ruto-led government, “through ineptitude or deliberate provocations, has degenerated what started as an expression of discontent with the Finance Bill 2024 into a murderous chaos characterized by incessant demonstrations, destruction of property and public service facilities, abductions, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. We cannot continue like this as a nation.”

In the statement, IRCK members urge the government to “restore public trust by ensuring senior state perpetrators of violence and financial scandals face the law through meaningful prosecutions.”

“Politicians must also be compelled to immediately cease using religion and negative ethnicity for political mobilization. We must have full adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law as the only legal pathway to a sustainable nation,” they say in the statement that their Chairman, Bishop Willybard Lagho of Kenya’s Malindi Catholic Diocese, signed.

The religious leaders urge the institutions and agencies that have the mandate to uphold and enforce Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on leadership and integrity to “rise and take necessary action on all persons who are abusing power and misusing security personnel to further their political interests.”

“We call for the urgent setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to investigate all the fatalities that have occurred during demonstrations since June 2024,” IRCK members say, and add, “We must as a nation build our future on a platform of truth.”

As part of their efforts to address the unrest, Kenya’s faith-based leaders, who include Muslim leaders, say, “We are ready and willing to offer mediation between the government, the youth, and all other actors to promote peaceful coexistence and understanding.”

Calling for joint efforts in addressing the unrest, the faith leaders add, “We must not allow our nation to descend into anarchy.”

“We appeal to all Kenyans to remain steadfast in praying and working for the betterment of our nation. Let us use all lawful means available to address the socio-economic challenges facing our land, always being inspired by the prayer we make in our National Anthem,” IRCK members say.