Religious leaders have united in urging the government to address various issues affecting the lives of ordinary citizens. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, on Friday, presented a set of five key areas that the administration, led by President William Ruto, should promptly attend to.
Among the highlighted concerns are over-taxation, challenges within the education system, the soaring cost of living, the safeguarding of Kenyan people’s dignity, and the pervasive issue of unemployment.
Addressing the issue of unemployment, the bishops expressed concern about the evident corruption within the public sector, where tribalism and discrimination appear to influence employment opportunities.
The statement emphasized the need for “a more transparent and equitable process of employment, especially in public offices.”
The high cost of living emerged as a significant priority, with the bishops noting its profound impact on the social fabric of Kenyan society.
Families, grappling with the economic strain, face heightened stress, leading to “strained relationships and increased tensions within households.”
The statement highlighted the difficulty parents face in providing for their children’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being.
To tackle these challenges, the bishops called on the government to engage in broader consultations and discussions with stakeholders to “review and study ways we can address and mitigate the high cost of living.”
The bishops acknowledged external factors, such as the cost of petroleum and conflicts in the Middle East, contributing to the rise in living expenses.
While recognizing these factors, they urged the government to refrain from over-taxing Kenyans and to find “a reasonable balance between the desired income for the government and the minimum protection of the basic needs of the very ordinary Kenyan, and respect for their dignity.”
The statement also advocated for a reconsideration of over-taxation, particularly for those in the lower-income bracket, as businesses and traders face the dilemma of “closure or laying off employees due to the immense drain on their resources and add tax burdens.”
Regarding the protection of the dignity of every Kenyan, the bishops expressed reservations about the proposed digital identification system.
They called for clarity and public participation before any implementation, voicing concerns about potential violations of human dignity, especially through the use of certain new technologies, including the “insertion of microchips or other digital elements, especially in newborns,” which they deemed unacceptable as it would “compromise the inviolable dignity of the recipients.”
In Thursday’s State of the Nation address, President Ruto acknowledged the need for the country to live within its means, stating, “We must admit that as a country we had been living large and way beyond our means. The time has come to retire the false comforts.”
