Clerics challenge State to walk the talk on cost of living pledge

A section of clerics has faulted the government for failing to address the high cost of living that has left majority of Kenyans at the edge of losing hope.

Under the umbrella of Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK), members of the clergy claimed instead of fulfilling its promises of lowering the cost of living, the President William Ruto-led administration has continued to burden Kenyans with high taxation thereby adding them more economic misery.

Speaking at Ukombozi Retreat Centre in Juja, Kiambu, during the ongoing week-long prayer seminar yesterday, FEICCK Secretary General Bishop David Thagana said even the National Dialogue Committee failed to address the issue in the bi-partisan talks report released recently.

“Instead of taking into account the economic challenges that continue to bedevil Kenyans, the bipartisan talks committee delved on creating political positions. The positions cannot solve the economic hardships Kenyans are struggling with,” he said.

Thagana, who is also the presiding Bishop of Glory Outreach Assembly Church, asserted that the Kenya Kwanza administration must fulfill its campaign promises, especially on lowering the cost of living and rejuvenating the limping economy.

“We are demanding the sitting government fulfils the promises it made to Kenyans. We cannot talk about integrity without fulfillment of promises made. Kenyans are expectant but continue to lose hope in the wake of increased cost of living,” he stated.

Thagana revealed the Church is bearing the brunt of the government failures since it has been accused by Kenyans of misleading them into voting for the current regime.

Rev Peter Wagura said graft fight should be directed to the ‘big fish’ who are looting public coffers.

“It is no longer business as usual for Kenyans. Meeting daily and monthly obligations has become a daunting task even as those in leadership continue to mismanage resources. We are demanding for a spirited fight to end corruption for the sake of our economy,” said Wagura.

Bishop Juma Ndaizei from Burundi called on leaders to uphold integrity, saying poor leadership will lead to a social, economic and political crisis.