The Catholic Church has barred politicians from delivering political speeches in its churches ahead of the 2027 General Election, directing priests to enforce the restriction nationwide.
The directive was announced on Thursday, November 12, by Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria, who read a statement on behalf of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), warning politicians against turning places of worship into campaign platforms as they seek support from Kenyans.
The bishops maintained that places of worship should remain dedicated to spiritual activities rather than political mobilisation, noting that politicians had several alternative platforms through which they could communicate with voters.
These include media interviews, public barazas and roadside rallies, which offer politicians opportunities to explain their agendas without interfering with church services.
“We are therefore reiterating and directing that there shall be no political addresses given in any of our Catholic churches in any part of the country,” the bishops declared.
The religious leaders also instructed Catholic priests across the country to ensure the directive was implemented without exception, emphasising that churches should not provide platforms for political campaigns.
What Catholic Bishops told Kenyans ahead of 2027 elections
Beyond restricting political addresses in churches, the bishops challenged Kenyans to critically assess the performance of their current leaders before deciding who deserves their votes in the next General Election.
They urged voters to look beyond campaign promises and political excitement, encouraging them to examine the records and leadership abilities of those seeking elective positions.
The bishops described the forthcoming elections as an important opportunity for citizens to exercise their constitutional right to choose leaders capable of delivering on their responsibilities.
They cautioned voters against allowing the intense political activity expected during the campaign period to cloud their judgment.
“The noise that pollutes the air during political campaigns must not block our individual discernment of who is best suited to represent and lead us,” they stated.
Bishops oppose proposed changes to election laws
The church leaders also raised concerns over proposed electoral amendments, particularly legislative efforts seeking to prohibit the livestreaming of presidential election results.
They warned that such proposals could create unnecessary political tensions and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The bishops called on Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to reject legislation that could restrict access to information or compromise transparency during elections.
They maintained that Kenyans should have unrestricted access to electoral information to promote accountability and public trust.
The religious leaders challenged Parliament to reject attempts to limit transparency, arguing that voters must be able to independently follow the announcement and verification of presidential election results.
“Parliament has yet one more chance to redeem itself by totally rejecting such an attempt to muzzle free access to information. There should be full transparency in the elections where Kenyans have access to all information,” the bishops added.
