There were fireworks in Parliament on Thursday as MPs clashed over recent bashing of the state by church leaders who accused the government of running down the country.
The harsh sentiments, first delivered by the Catholic bishops, sparked a heated debate in the National Assembly with some MPs seeing the criticism as an overreach by the religious groups while others stood in the defense of the clergy.
This followed bashing by Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops who in a televised press conference this month accused the government of relying on brutal repression to silence critics, asserting that the administration thrives on half-truths and outright lies.
KCCB went further to return Sh5.6 million donations by the President towards the completion of a priest’s house at Soweto Catholic church and support for the church choir and PCM.
Supporters of the church led by Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo rallied lawmakers across the political divide in backing the bishops whom they noted have the mandate to hold the government accountable.
“I want to say that there are a few areas where I disagree with, when the voice of the church is silent, the nation suffers,” Millie who is also the Suba North MP said.
“I agree with the church that they must speak and must call out evil, it is indeed unfortunate that we find ourselves in a situation where Members of Parliament can actually be talking back and forth with the church.”
The Suba North MPs was responding to Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who had earlier faulted the church accusing them of over- stepping their mandate.
Seme MP James Nyikal said the criticism should be looked at constructively.
He said the political class should not be over-defensive whenever the church raises issues on governance.
“When those facts are raised, we as representatives of the people must face them squarely and address them.”
But critics faulted the church for doublespeak, with Ichung’wah saying church leaders requested for donations to complete the stalled priest’s house and the adjacent road.
“They are the ones who sought the President’s help in building the father’s house. I saw the arch-bishop saying he will return the mon-ey, I want to tell youth that not a single shilling has been returned,” Ichung’wah said in Parliament.
“We must not be afraid to tell our religious leaders that when we go to church, we do not do so to please bishops or moderators.”
Thika Town MP Alice Nganga termed the bishop’s action unfair given most leaders are also members of the church and should participate in church developments.
“I feel very bad and especially
when we are told not to go and give
in the church. As a believer in Jesus
Christ, if I am told not to go and give
in church, that means whatever I
believe in, I am being curtailed and
that one is not fair,” Nganga said.
