The Catholic Church in Kenya has once again stepped into the political arena, drawing both praise and criticism – depending on which side of the political divide one is on – for its recent statement urging active participation in the country’s governance.

This bold stance is not a deviation from its spiritual mandate but a moral obligation rooted in Pope Francis’s reminder that “a good Catholic meddles in politics”. The Church’s prophetic voice is indispensable in a nation grappling with widespread corruption, poor leadership and policies that often prioritise selfish interests over the common good. 

For too long, corrupt politicians have thrived on the mistaken, misguided and self-serving belief that the Church’s role is to remain silent in the face of injustice. They expect the clergy to limit their engagement to the pulpit, ignoring their moral responsibility to hold leaders accountable. This expectation is not only naïve but also hypocritical.

Politics, as Pope Francis emphasised, is “one of the highest forms of charity”, precisely because it serves the common good. To demand that the Church stay out of politics is to demand complicity in the systemic failure of governance that has perpetuated poverty, inequality and hopelessness among Kenyans. 

Critics who question the Church’s activism often do so out of fear, not principle. Corrupt leaders and their enablers know that a politically engaged Church is a threat to their unchecked power. They bristle at sermons denouncing graft and decry statements calling for justice because these undermine their narratives of impunity.

For these individuals, a silent Church is a convenient Church, a body that prays for them but never challenges their actions. Yet, as Pope Francis pointed out, “You can’t govern without loving the people and without humility”. Leaders who abuse power rather than serve the public are the antithesis of this principle. 

Kenya’s current state demands an unapologetically vocal Church. As economic hardships deepen and public trust in institutions erodes, the Church must intensify its efforts to be the moral compass of the nation. Its consistent advocacy for social justice, accountability and ethical leadership is essential. Silence in such a moment would not be neutrality, it would be betrayal. 

The Church’s critics should know that faith is a call to action. Pope Francis explicitly rejected the idea that Christians can “wash their hands” of politics. Instead, he challenged believers to offer their prayers, ideas and best efforts to ensure that governance serves the people. This is particularly relevant in Kenya, where political apathy has allowed mediocrity and corruption to flourish. Citizens and institutions alike must take ownership of the nation’s future, and the Church is leading by example.

 The Church seeks to influence governance for the better. It does not aim to wield power but to challenge its misuse. By calling for humility, service and love in leadership, the Church is reminding Kenya’s leaders that their positions are for uplifting the people they serve. This message is especially poignant in a country where public office is too often synonymous with privilege rather than responsibility. 

Kenya’s Catholic bishops have charted a bold path, refusing to remain silent in the face of a broken system. Their statement is a call for all citizens to engage in politics with integrity and purpose. Those who criticise the Church’s involvement should reflect on Pope Francis’s words: “None of us can say, ‘I have nothing to do with this, they govern’.” The Church’s involvement is a necessary intervention to steer the nation toward justice, equity and progress.

The Church’s unwavering commitment to speak truth to power demands that it remain a persistent, prophetic voice. In the words of Pope Francis, “politics is…  an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good”.

— The writer is a PhD student in International Relations-