Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has taken a firm stand against members of the clergy who supported recent protests that turned violent in several parts of the country.

Addressing residents in Mbeere North, Embu County, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, Ruku faulted the involvement of some church leaders, particularly within the Catholic Church, accusing them of openly siding with demonstrators during the Gen Z-led protests.

According to Ruku, the Church has a responsibility to guide the nation during moments of crisis, not to take positions that may escalate tensions.

He expressed concern that while the clergy appeared to sympathise with the protesters, the violence that followed ended up affecting church-owned property and businesses.

“Na mimi nasikia roho yangu ikiwa mzito wakati naona askofu kanisa wengine wanasema twende huko tuvuruge; we can’t take that direction,” Ruku said.

A notable case involved the destruction of a Catholic-owned building in Embu, which was set ablaze during the protests.

The building housed Mathai Supermarket and several other businesses, all of which suffered significant damage. Ruku pointed to this incident as an example of the contradiction in the Church’s stance supporting protests that ultimately harmed institutions tied to the Church itself.

“We are requesting the bishops and the archbishops, who are my friends. I sit at the cabinet of the Republic of Kenya. I know the commitment of the president of Kenya, Bishop Muheria. I was dedicated to the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Bishop John Njue paid part of my fees while at the university, so I respect the church. I know what the church has done to me,” Ruku said.

As a practising Catholic, Ruku highlighted the values he was raised with and questioned the current direction some clergy members were taking by aligning with movements that, although fuelled by genuine grievances, had taken a destructive turn.

He stressed that the Church should serve as a neutral ground and a source of wisdom, especially when tensions between the youth and the government escalate.

Call for dialogue

Ruku also used the platform to defend the government’s position, arguing that it remains focused on uniting the country and addressing the concerns raised by young people.

However, he insisted that dialogue and peace should be the guiding principles, not chaos and destruction.

“I can only tell the president the truth: the bishops, the president of Kenya is committed 100 per cent to solving issues affecting the people of Kenya. Tuunge mkono rais wetu; kama huwaamini mimi, niko tayari kukaa chini na nyinyi mabishop nibebe file kubwa niwaelezee kama mmoja wenu, as one of you, as someone who has been brought up by the church,” Ruku stated

He called upon the Church to reassess its role in society and to take up its traditional function as a moral compass—one that helps to de-escalate conflict, encourage conversation, and provide direction. According to him, Kenya needs institutions that can help bridge the gaps between generations and political forces, and the Church must remain above partisan interests or populist sentiments.

“We cannot sit and see as our nations go back to the dogs; kama inchi itaisha kanisa Pamoja na sisi hatutrakuwa na mahali pa kuishi,” he added.

The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks come at a time when the relationship between the State and religious institutions is being closely watched, especially as the Gen Z movement continues to question the role of various sectors in national governance.

Ruku’s message was clear: the Church must choose peace and stability over alignment with protests that risk pushing the country into deeper divisions.