GOD SAVE OUR BELOVED COUNTRY!

Matthew 25:40: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

The current situation that we are now witnessing, calls us to address the Nation and
especially our dear young people. We also wish to speak clearly to our leadership,
the President, the entire Government and the members of parliament. We appeal
and plead that we have a moment of reflection and listening.
We are saddened that what started as lawful protests are degenerating into violent
conflict. This was not the initial aim of the Genzee protests. We earnestly appeal to
the police not to shoot to the protesters. We also appeal to the young people to
remain peaceful. We condole with all those who have been shot dead and injured,
and plead for calm. No one should lose his or her life.
We also need to advice against unconstitutional actions like attempting taking over
parliament due to their serious consequences. Once more we are pleading for a
peaceful and meaningful engagement for the good of our nation.

1. Excessive Taxation in the Contentious Finance Bill 2024/2025

The Finance Bill 2024/25, has elicited reactions mostly of resistance from Kenyans.
If adopted in its current form it will add pain to many families who are already
suffering the consequences of adopti ng the 2023/24 Finance Bill that was signed
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into law. We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, have recently formally
raised our very serious concerns on the Finance Bill to the government. We
apreciate that some major revisions were done to the draft bill responding to the
suggestions from the public participation, but still feel that some of our important
suggestions were not addressed. We call upon the legislators to be guided by their
conscience in addressing this bill and the good of the Kenyans.
We emphasize that every citizen must pay taxes. But the Government must not
overtax its citizens. And, it should not be in denial about its intended excessive
taxation. The country is bleeding and therefore we invite the Government to reflect
on this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
2. Gen Z on the Finance Bill
We understand therefore why the GenZees have taken to the streets to express
their displeasure to the government. The young generation is alive to the negative
impact punitive taxes have in their own lives. The government needs to face the
plain truth that families are immensely suffering. Young people have reached a
point of taking it upon themselves to express discontent with the insensitivity of
the Government to these unwarranted taxes that only raise higher the cost of living.
The Government must listen to the pain of its citizens caused by high cost of living.
Ignoring them will only escalate tensions in the country and draw young people and
citizenry into despair.
We plead with the President that he listens to the voices of so many, and respond
concretly to the current situation, triggered by the proposed Finance bill.
3. Genuine Intent to Support Young People
We, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, understand the desperation of the
young people. We have consistently called on the Government to be responsible
for creating an environment in which young people can use their knowledge to
create jobs, get employed, or pursue meaningful opportunities. We are yet to see a
clear and well-defined roadmap for to end. The billions siphoned from taxpayer
money, for example, are enough to employ thousands of youths. In the absence
of tangible initiatives, young people are right in expressing their desperation. They
are not getting the promised jobs. They are not seeing a government that is
committed to using the taxes it collects for justifiable ends, not pursuing the

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Corrupt. Their coming out to point out the challenges of the Government is
therefore understandable and we commend them for being proactive citizens. We
are encouraged and must applaud you, the young people, for keeping away from
looting and violence. We appreciate that you have generated a slogan that “we are
peaceful.” This is a step in the right direction as affirmed in scripture: "The Lord
examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a
passion." (Psalm 11:5)
4. Purpose of Gen Z Protest Should be Respected
Even as we commend you GenZ for being proactive, we would like to advise that in
themselves protests will not solve the problem of government insensitivity in
addressing problems like the Finance Bill. With your creativity and innovative
technology tools available, which you are using to organize yourselves and pass your
message to the government, you need to consider more innovative approaches to
draw constructive engagement to address the social and economic woes our
country is facing. Do not give up on pursuing direct engagement with the
government and other stakeholders. We also encourage patience as you engage.
As Bishops, we also have to warn you, young people, not to be misused for hidden
interests by some of the people who may be interested to use your protests. While
pursuing genuine concerns of unemployment, a bleak future, limited opportunities
for self-development, and the fear of a shrinking economy there are people out
there whose interests are to capitalize on your grievances to advance their agenda.
We ask you to be on guard so that you may not be misused for goals that are not
part of your genuine concerns.
5. Use of Excessive Force by the police
We, the Catholic Bishops, while appreciating several occasions the police have tried
to act rightly, decry and condemn in the strongest terms, the use of force by the
police, the arrests, and the indiscriminate and unnecessary use of live bullets.
Unwarranted attacks on peaceful protesters cannot be justified. The police have
many ways to ensure protests remain peaceful. The police should focus on criminals
who implant themselves in peaceful protests to create chaos and rob or destroy
property. As a country, we have seen demonstrations and protests in the past. We
know that police should ensure peaceful assemblies of any kind and not fuel
violence and public hate towards the same police that are supposed to protect
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them. As a God-fearing nation, we should not forget Isaiah 1:17: which says "Learn
to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow." Being police does not give one a license to take away
innocent lives.
6. Places of Worship are Sacred
Remember places of worship are not our own. We can not pretend to take them as
if they were ours. They are God’s space and therefore we can’t use them for any
other agenda but that which relates to God. Churches accommodate people
irrespective of their opinions or political standing. However, we emphasize that we
the Catholic Bishops, have issued clear guidelines to our priests and pastoral agents
not to use liturgical spaces for political agitation of any kind. All are welcome and
should feel at home in our churches but respect the places of worship.
7. Intolerance on Controversial Issues
We are concerned that there has been expressions of intolerance during the
protests. Young people, intolerance is a double-edged weapon that hurts the
user as much as the victim. When we use threats and mob shaming as our weapons,
towards people of different opinions we permit them to do likewise. Intolerance
slowly breeds anarchy and is the seed of violence. Do express yourselves without
threatening the families or the lives of those who don’t think like you! Noone should
take the law into their hands.
8. Condolences and Prayers to Affected Families during the Protests
We also send condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives during
the protests. We also offer our sympathy and prayers to the policeman who lost his
hands due to a freak accident with a teargas canister. Life is sacred and should be
protected at all means. We appeal to IPOA to bring the police to book for the lives
lost needlessly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even in tempting times, we should always remember "Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). As we seek
justice for a fair tax regime, let us do so through peaceful means both by the citizens
and the government.

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We believe the President has the means and the will to bring back sanity to our
Nation, by not signing the Finance Bill in to law for better participation, taking into
account the voices of many Kenyans. Kenyans. our dear young people, our country
belongs to all of us. Your lives are important to us. We plead with you to remain
peaceful. We invite all Kenyans to pray for our country and for God to guide us and
guide our hearts to restore order and peace.

Singed

……………………………………………………………………………………..

MOST. REV. MAURICE MUHATIA MAKUMBA

CHAIRMAN – KCCB /KISUMU

Present

NAME DIOCESE
1. Most Rev. Anthony Muheria - Nyeri
- Apostolic Administrator of Embu
2. Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde - Mombasa
3. Most Rev. Philip Anyolo - Nairobi
4. Rt. Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa - Kisii
5. Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich - Kericho
6. Rt. Rev. Norman King’oo Wambua - Machakos
7. Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara - Marsabit
8. Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a - Aux Nairobi
9. Rt. Rev. Anthony Ireri Mukobo - Isiolo
10. Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi - Meru
11. Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina - Murang’a
12. Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru - Wote
13. Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich - Eldoret
14. Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa - Ngong
15. Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia - Nyahururu
16. Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi Sagwe - Kakamega
17. Rt. Rev. Joseph Mwongela - Kitui
18. Rt. Rev. Michael Odiwa - Homa Bay

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19. Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho - Malindi
20. Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima - Bungoma
21. Rt. Rev. George Muthaka - Garissa
22. Rt. Rev. John Mbinda - Lodwar
23. Rt. Rev. Hieronymus Emusugut Joya - Maralal
24. Rt. Rev. Henry Juma Odonya - Kitale
25. Rt. Rev. Cleophas Oseso - Nakuru
26. Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe - Aux. Nairobi
27. Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng’ang’a - Aux Nairobi
28. Rt. Rev. John Lelei - Aux. Eldoret
29. Msgr. John Njue - Apostolic Administrator Military
Ordinariate

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