Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday took a swiper on President William Ruto and his allies for what he described as the mistreatment of religious leaders.
Speaking during a church service in Kerarapon, Kajiado County, Gachagua said the government should listen to religious leaders and avoid repeating the mistakes of former President Daniel Arap Moi.
“Let us respect the freedom of worship, the freedom of expression, and the freedom of speech,” Gachagua stated.
He added, “We want the churches to be allowed to spread the gospel without fear, intimidation, or interference from anyone.”
Gachagua stated that he was happy that the Head of State had committed to address the issues raised by the Catholic bishops.
“I am happy that yesterday President William Ruto acknowledged that the Catholic bishops had raised some issues and he committed to listen to them for them to be addressed. That is the way to go,” Gachagua remarked.
At the same time, the former DP accused the government of using chiefs and local administrators for political purposes and warned against interference in church affairs.
“Let us not take the path of clashing with the church or dictating sermons. These men of God read the Bible; they know what to preach,” Gachagua said.
On Thursday, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) accused the government of failing to keep its election pledges while completely overlooking ordinary Kenyans’ concerns.
The bishops also accused the political class of turning a deaf ear to key concerns raised by Kenyans, including over-taxation, unemployment, disturbing gaps in the implementation of the CBC education system, and the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The statement by the Catholic Bishops did not sit well with close allies of President William Ruto who responded to the religious leaders.
However, on Saturday, President Ruto promised to address the issues raised by the clerics, including the ones in healthcare.
“We will ensure no more challenges in accessing healthcare. We will make all the corrections because universal health coverage is a must-do. It will make a difference and ensure no citizen is left behind,” President Ruto stated.
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