Accept Fact of “mysterious deaths”: Kenya’s Catholic Bishops to Government, Urge Upholding of Constitution

They demanded for independent and transparent investigations on reported cases of abductions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial actions.

“We, the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, call upon the Government and all public institutions to act with resolve and clarity,” KCCB members said in their eight-page statement. 

“The Church cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice,” they said, referring to the late Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world, Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel).

They emphasized the need to respect the rule of law, saying, “All arms of government and law enforcement agencies should uphold the Constitution and ensure that their operations are consistent with the principles of justice and human dignity.”

KCCB members underscored the vitality of oversight institutions such as the as Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights (KNCHR) which they said need government support and not interference.

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They warned that Kenya risked “descending into anarchy and mob justice, if the rule of law is undermined.”

Issued under the title, “Life is Sacred: Respect and Protect Human Life”, KCCB members’ statement follows that of the leadership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN), who initiated a three-day “marathon of Rosaries”, interceding for respect of human life in the East African nation.

The spiritual initiative, which the Local Ordinary Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo announced on June 18, followed earlier street protests that were reportedly characterized by police brutality, including “point blank shooting” of unarmed civilians.

The protests had been staged to demand justice after the controversial murder of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, who was arrested on June 7 and confirmed dead on June 8, reportedly in police custody.

In their June 24 press conference, KCCB members cautioned against crackdown on civic voices and human rights defenders, saying, “We must not threaten dissenters with death.”

“All Kenyans, including journalists, clergy, civil society actors, and especially young people, must be allowed to express themselves without fear,” they said, and added, “At the same time we need to bring decency and respect back to the social expressions of dissent.”

KCCB members called for “empathetic, consultative and service-driven leadership” devoid of threats and intimidation.

“We must change our political discourse from insulting, dismissive, arrogant statements to constructive and respectful exchanges, regardless of our political position and persuasion,” they said, and advocated for the creation of “a culture of dialogue and listening to one another.”

Political opponents, the Catholic Church leaders said, “must learn mature dialogue; government must listen and sit with other non-state actors, and the faith leaders; youth must be ready to sit and be listened to, as they listen to other views.”

“Wrong must be called wrong and apologies and restitutions discussed; government must use its set institutions to consult and study issues,” KCCB members said on June 24. 

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Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.