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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party communications director Philip Etale has expressed his concern on how a section of the United Democratic Movement (UDA) politicians are hurling insults at the Catholic bishops over their remarks on President William Ruto’s governance.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, November 15, 2024, Etale faulted the politicians on how they are handling the issues raised by the men of cloth.

Etale on politicians’ response

According to Etale, the said politicians should not be quick to criticize and hurl insults at the clergy for speaking up for the people but instead sit down and reflect on the issues being raised.

In addition, Etale added that after reflecting they should analyze and correct them accordingly.

He further stated that showing disrespect to the Clergy is equivalent to being an immoral society.

“Instead of criticizing, chastising and hurling insults at the clergy for speaking up for the people, politicians should sit down and reflect on the issues being raised, analyze them and correct them accordingly. Disrespecting the clergy is akin to being an immoral society,” Etale wrote.

Catholic bishops vs politicians

After the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops reprimanded President William Ruto’s administration on Thursday, November 14, 2024, over what they claimed is perpetuating the culture of lies and failing to address the issue of abductions, a section of the UDA politicians came out gun blazing critics towards the clergy.

UDA Leaders such as Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah accused the clergy of being dishonest adding that the proposed extension term limit bill failed due to lack of support.

“My Lord bishops, the drafter of this statement is portraying you either as liars or as politically partisan people seeking to play to a political gallery,” Kimani stated.

Dear Catholic Bishops,
Let us all be HONEST. If you have any information on corrupt legislators, pls furnish info to investigate agencies or just name them and shame them.
On this Cherargei bill that died in the senate for lack of support , how does a dead private members bill… pic.twitter.com/rZlqAfjz9s

— Kimani Ichung’wah (@KIMANIICHUNGWAH) November 14, 2024

The Bill the Catholic Bishops are referring to was rejected by Senate's Justice committee a long time ago . It died before seeing light of day.
A simple Google search would have helped them establish that.
NHIF owed hospitals 30B plus before Sept 2022.
That debt burden has…

— Aaron Cheruiyot (@Aaroncheruiyot) November 14, 2024

Catholic Bishops on Ruto’s administration

Addressing the press on Thursday, November 14, 2024, the men of cloth went all out to castigate the Kenya Kwanza administration, claiming that they have failed to uphold integrity and have resolved to spew lies on major issues affecting the nation.

“The culture of lies is swiftly replacing the integrity and respect that Kenyans deserve. Basically, it seems that truth does not exist, and if it does, it is only what the government says. Unfortunately, it seems that the Kenyans have helplessly tolerated the lies told to them constantly by the politicians. Kenyans must learn not to applaud or validate the lies that the politicians tell them, but rather must resolve to seek and be led by the truth,” the bishops stated.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops went further to accuse the Kenya Kwanza regime of failing to honour its campaign pledges to the citizenry.

“This culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with,” they insisted.