Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at a section of Members of Parliament (MPs) who talked down on catholic church bishops moments after they criticised President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking on Sunday, November 17, 2024, during the celebration of 100 years of mission work at PCEA Kerarapon Church, in Kajiado North Constituency, Kajiado County, Gachagua stated that the voice of the church is the voice of God.

Gachagua on bishops’ message

Gachagua argued that over 30 bishops cannot just meet and do a statement from nowhere.

The former DP went ahead to state that he was very much disappointed to see a section of MPs abuse catholic bishops when they spoke truth to power.

He urged political leaders to respect church leaders, terming them as the anointed men and women of God.

“The voice of the church is the voice of God. When our spiritual fathers speak, they don’t just speak in vain. I don’t think over 30 bishops can meet and do a statement from nowhere. Kama kuna viongozi wanafanya public participation every day, ni viongozi wa kidini kwa sababu wako na waumini every day, every weekend, and if there are people who know what the ground is saying, it is our church leaders.

“Tukisikia viongozi wetu wamesema kitu, tuwasikize na tuwaheshimu. We were very disappointed when our catholic bishops spoke and we saw some members of parliament abusing them, lecturing them, talking down to our spiritual fathers. Those are the anointed men and women of God and we must respect them,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua lauds Ruto

The former DP lauded President William Ruto for acknowledging that the bishops had indeed raised some issues that needed to be addressed.

However, Gachagua pointed out National Assembly deputy speaker Gladys Boss Shollei as one of the MPs who had lectured the bishops like young children.

“And I am happy that yesterday our president William Ruto acknowledged that the catholic bishops had raised some issues and he committed to listen to them, for them to be addressed, that is the way to go. So tunataka kuwaambia hawa waheshimiwa wanatukana maaskofu, I saw the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly lecturing catholic bishops like children. Mimi nataka niambie nyinyi viongozi, acheni kiburi.

Catholic bishops’ statement

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops reprimanded President Ruto’s administration over what they claimed is perpetuating the culture of lies and failing to address the issue of abductions.

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.

MPs’ responses

Moments after their presser, pro-government MPs started firing responses at them.

Among the MPs who responded to the bishops is Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot who faulted them over their sentiments on a bill that was proposing the extension of term limits for elected leaders.

In response, Cheruiyot said the bill was fronted by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei in a private capacity and not under the UDA banner.

“My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by Catholic Church Bishops alleging that a constitutional amendment bill is being considered and rushed through parliament. The bill in question was presented by the Senator of Nandi, Hon. Samson Cherargei, himself a devout Catholic faithful.
For the record this was a privately sponsored bill,” Cheruiyot stated.

“The Majority Party UDA dissociated itself with it and urged its members not to support it. The Bill was also roundly rejected in the public participation that was carried out by the Senate.”

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi also made some unprintable words against Archbishop Antony Muheria, via his official X account.