Raila Breaks Silence Over Catholic bishops’ Remarks On Ruto
On Friday, November 15, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga declined to comment on Catholic Bishops’ recent criticism of President William Ruto, stating he will give a more thorough response later.
During a press conference on Capitol Hill, Odinga skirted clear of the issue and focused on sharing revenue, accusing legislators of impeding devolution.
Responding to a journalist’s question on the Catholic Church’s criticism of Ruto, the ODM leader stated that he will address the issue in a separate forum.
“I will do another statement generally, where you can ask general questions. Today is about this issue of revenue care,” he said.
The Division of Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2024, has created a standoff pitting the National Assembly and Senate. This impasse is a power grab and an assault on the constitution that Members of the National Assembly want to execute and is a cruel betrayal of the people and an… pic.twitter.com/NxYRZLkgv0
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) November 15, 2024
This comes after bishops accused Ruto’s administration of perpetuating a ‘culture of deception’.
They also lambasted Kenya’s Kwanza regime for inexplicable deaths, abductions, and pervasive corruption.
The bishops, led by their leader, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia of Kisumu, accused the political elite of ignoring fundamental Kenyan problems.
Overtaxation, unemployment, alarming gaps in the CBC education system’s implementation, and the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA) were among the issues addressed.
Hitting back at the clergy, the President, while addressing Tangaza University on Friday, called on all leaders to keep to the truth when engaged in public discourse, warning of the consequences of their comments.
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“Even as we engage in public discourse on matters that are important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing,” he said.
Addressing the audience, President Ruto acknowledged his close ties to the Catholic community, noting that several of his children attended Catholic schools.
Ruto went on to exhort the clergy to stop criticizing the government and instead work together to advance the nation and create a country that all Kenyans can be proud of.
The bishops’ statement elicited a variety of reactions from various authorities, including accusations that the church had double standards for supporting Ruto before the elections and then abandoning him less than two years later.
Raila Breaks Silence Over Catholic bishops’ Remarks On Ruto
