ACK Backs Catholic Bishops in Criticizing Government’s Performance

In a recent statement, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) declared the church’s full support for the Catholic bishops’ critique of the government’s performance. The statement, shared on social media platform X, emphasized the ACK’s belief that the government has yet to effectively steer the country in the right direction.

Archbishop Ole Sapit reiterated this stance in an official communication, expressing strong objections to media reports suggesting that the ACK disagreed with the Catholic bishops’ position. He underscored that the ACK stands with the Catholic bishops, asserting that the government has not succeeded in turning around the nation’s fortunes.

“The Anglican Church of Kenya takes great exception to reports in some sections of the media, which seem to indicate that ACK does not agree with the Catholic Bishops for calling out the government on a number of issues facing the country. We, the ACK, fully support the Catholic bishops’ statement to the nation. We believe that the government is yet to turn around the country and steer it in the right direction,” Ole Sapit’s statement read.

The Archbishop criticized government officials for dismissing the bishops’ concerns as misleading and false, labeling such responses as dishonest. He asserted that the bishops have accurately reflected the sentiments of Kenyans and truthfully described the situation on the ground. He warned that no amount of attacks or intimidation would deter the church from speaking out against wrongdoing and holding those in power accountable.

“Let the political class and those in government come down from their high horses, listen for once, rather than seemingly perpetuate the commonplace culture of impunity. The governed do not need lectures but services and honest engagement,” he added.

Archbishop Ole Sapit highlighted several issues plaguing the country, including the flawed university funding model, inefficiencies in public schools, and the problematic transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which he claimed has caused significant suffering for Kenyans.

He also condemned the government for failing to address unexplained abductions, forced disappearances, unresolved murders, punitive taxes, and high unemployment rates. Furthermore, he criticized the government for inhumane evictions of vulnerable Kenyans without providing viable alternatives.

“We do not also condemn the government or even criticize for the sake of it. We, nevertheless, demand transparency, greater accountability, time-bound plans, and urgent interventions in such services as especially medical care, which cannot wait,” he insisted.

The Archbishop concluded by urging the government to move beyond rhetoric and make concrete, time-bound plans to address the pressing issues facing the nation, invoking Proverbs 29:2 to emphasize the need for righteous leadership.

The ACK’s statement comes amid increasing public discontent with the government, adding a significant voice to the growing chorus calling for urgent reforms and better governance.