Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss has urged the clergy to focus on their spiritual duties and refrain from interfering in the affairs of running the country. Speaking out in a statement that has sparked debate, Boss told the bishops to leave the business of governance to elected leaders, particularly President William Ruto, who was elected to lead the country.
Boss, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, expressed disappointment over a statement issued by the Catholic bishops criticizing the government on various issues of national importance. According to the legislator, the bishops were overstepping their spiritual mandate by involving themselves in political matters, a stance that has not gone unnoticed.
“Their job is spiritual work, and they should leave the business of running the country to elected leaders,” Boss said, emphasizing that the bishops should refrain from meddling in the country’s governance. She expressed further dismay, stating that she was personally hurt by the bishops’ remarks, especially since she was raised in a Catholic school and has long admired the Church’s spiritual role in society.
Boss argued that the bishops, while holding an influential position in Kenyan society, had no moral authority to criticize the government on issues like corruption when the Church itself has not been exempt from similar allegations. “The Church has its own issues to address, and they cannot claim to be morally superior when similar issues are happening within their own institution,” she remarked. This sentiment echoed growing concerns over the perceived hypocrisy of religious institutions when calling out public figures on issues of governance.
The legislator further stated that the bishops had sunk to an all-time low by publicly criticizing President Ruto’s government, despite having direct access to him. She pointed out that the bishops, as respected figures within the Catholic Church, had the opportunity to engage the president privately on the issues they were raising, instead of airing their grievances in public. “They have easy access and can talk to the President in private instead of castigating the government in public,” Boss said. In her view, the bishops’ actions mirrored those of politicians seeking “cheap publicity.”
Boss’s comments were particularly directed at the bishops’ involvement in political matters like the ongoing national discourse on corruption, killings, and abductions. She took issue with their lack of specifics, especially when discussing serious allegations. “They have not provided details on who has been killed or abducted. If bishops are now alarmist, then we are finished. They should be the ones praying for us and giving us hope,” she said, lamenting the shift in the Church’s role from spiritual guidance to political commentary.
The Uasin Gishu representative’s criticism highlights the growing tension between the Church and the political leadership in Kenya. While religious leaders have a long history of commenting on social and political issues, the recent statements by the Catholic bishops have sparked controversy, especially amid concerns over the growing politicization of the Church. Critics argue that the Church’s moral authority can be compromised when it takes sides in political battles.
However, Boss acknowledged that clergy do have the right to correct leaders but emphasized that such corrections should be made through proper channels and with respect to the government. She urged the bishops to engage in constructive dialogue rather than seeking public attention.
The tension between the government and the Church over the role of bishops in political matters is unlikely to subside anytime soon. The debate over whether religious institutions should play an active role in politics or focus solely on their spiritual mandate continues to divide opinion in Kenya, with each side asserting its right to express opinions on national matters. In this volatile environment, figures like Gladys Boss will continue to weigh in on these issues, as they navigate the delicate balance between governance and spiritual guidance.
