The Catholic Church has banned political speeches in churches across Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has directed priests to enforce the order.
The bishops spoke to the press on Thursday, November 12. They said politicians should not turn places of worship into campaign platforms.
No political addresses in Catholic churches
The bishops said politicians have other ways to reach voters, including the media, public barazas and roadside rallies.
“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 stated.
They also told all Catholic priests to implement the directive and treat it seriously. According to the bishops, campaigns should not interfere with the role of religious institutions. Churches, they said, must remain places of worship, not platforms for political mobilisation.
Bishops urge voters to choose wisely
The bishops asked Kenyans to assess the performance of their current leaders before they vote.
“We have before us a moment to reflect and evaluate the performance of the leaders we have and vote wisely; this is a great opportunity to exercise our right to elect leaders to deliver on their mandate,” the bishops stated.
