Archbishop to Uhuru: Untold Deaths in Kenya Too High

President Uhuru Kenyatta has more power in his corner as the Catholic faithful pledged to support the head of state’s fight against corruption.

The solidarity was expressed after the President joined the believers in marking the beginning of the 40 days lent period at Subuki Shrine.

As per a piece by the Standard on February 23, 2020, the President reiterated the need for corruption to be fought foremost at the individual level.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta delivering the New Year message on December 31, 2019.

Citizen Digital

“The fight against graft should start with all of us at a personal level. We have to look at ourselves first as agents of change. if we all responsible play our roles, we shall be able to address the problems facing our country,” stated Uhuru.

However, the solidarity did not come without conditions as Archbishop Philip Anyolo clarified to the President.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) chairman provided that the judiciary also had a part to play in ensuring that a culture of truth took root in the justice system.

Anyolo further expressed his concern on the untold deaths, suffering, and desperation that characterized the landscape of the country even as people struggled to access basic human needs.

The sentiments came in the wake of the suspicious death of Sergeant Kipyegon on Thursday, February 20, 2020 with a single bullet to his head. While whispers of suicide coloured the case, his neighbours said they did not hear any shots ring out. 

“It is unfortunate to see resources set aside for common good being used for personal gain. Such acts have broken the hopes of many youths who now feel they are meant to do the same,” voices Anyolo.

The statements expressed by the Archbishop come a few months after the KCCB that he chairs launched a campaign against corruption.

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Bishop Philip Anyolo (center) is throned during a consecration at Uzima University grounds as an Arch Bishop of the Kisumu Arch-Diocese by Bishop Zacheous Okoth (left) and John Cardinal Njue.

The Standard

John Oballa, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission chairperson provided that the lent for the year 2020 would be dedicated to sustaining the war against corruption as well as improving the lives of ordinary people. 

As expressed by Bishop Oballa, ” Our theme for the lenten campaign is Stewardship for a Transformed Nation-My Obligation. It should cure and address how we continue this fight against corruption.”

The pit of corruption in Kenya is wide and deep, going by a report authored by the Auditor General, Edward Ouko, in 2018 Kenya loses an average of 1 trillion each year to corruption.