The Anglican Church of Kenya rejected President William Ruto‘s proposed taxation measures on Wednesday, claiming that this was evidence that the government was “increasingly proving insensitive to the plight of the majority of Kenyans,” who they claimed were experiencing greater economic hardship and distress every day.
In a forceful statement, the members of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) also criticised President Ruto’s administration for what they claimed was the encroachment of tribal and regional appointments in the public sector.
“There is glaring tribalism and cronyism, particularly with regard to public appointments. There is an apparent lack of accountability and transparency in our institutions. This is not acceptable. Let all institutions and government agencies be impartial and efficient, not simply beholden to political influence,” the bishops said in a statement read by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit.
The bishops also requested that faith-based organisations be included in the bipartisan negotiations between the teams defending President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. They went on to offer to help the committee, which George Murugara (Tharaka, UDA) and Dr. Otiende Amollo (Rarieda, ODM) co-chair, resolve topical disagreements.
“The bipartisan parliamentary talks seem to have started on a shaky foundation. We call on the parties to overcome suspicion and their unwillingness to engage. For the greater good and in the interest of a cohesive nation, we urge that all pertinent issues of concern be placed on the table and discussed,” the bishops said.
The bishops claimed in their statement that the Finance Bill 2023, which among other things proposes a 3% statutory deduction—to be matched by the employer in the same percentage but capped at Sh5,000 per month—to the Housing Fund—will burden the citizens of Kenya if passed. They urged for it to be subjected to extensive public scrutiny before it is presented to Parliament.
“It defies logic that despite the obvious financial constraints, the government has not communicated a way forward on budget deficits, delayed payment of salaries and pensions, and indications of skewed priorities,” the statement reads.
“Excessive government spending and mismanagement of public resources seem to take precedence over the basic needs of citizens. We call on the government to establish a clear structure that will curb wasteful public spending and be sensitive to the crippling debt situation and the dire economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens, which is worsening by the day.”
The announcement follows public sector union’s rejection of the measure and their warning to stage a general strike in the event that parliament approves it.
Also, the bishops criticised the government for “not doing enough to reduce excessive public spending or improve the declining standard of public services in all areas.” They claimed that the administration had failed to understand the financial struggles that the people in Kenya were experiencing.
“The government is increasingly proving insensitive to the plight of the majority of citizens in Kenya, who are sinking deeper into economic hardship and distress on a daily basis. With high levels of unemployment and poverty, the people of Kenya are struggling to make ends meet, businesses are struggling, families are breaking up; and economic hardship is contributing to high levels of mental illness, depression, and even loss of life,” Archbishop Sapit said.