Catholic bishops have directed priests to keep churches free of political addresses.
Bishops direct priests to enforce the nationwide order and urge Parliament to protect access to presidential election tallies.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has banned political speeches in Catholic churches nationwide ahead of the 2027 General Election. The bishops directed all Catholic priests to enforce the order diligently.
Speaking to the press on November 12, the bishops said politicians must not turn worship spaces into campaign platforms. They also urged voters to assess their leaders’ performance and challenged Parliament to protect electoral transparency.
Priests told to enforce ban on political speeches
The bishops reiterated that the directive applies to every Catholic church in the country. They instructed priests to take enforcement seriously, stressing that churches should serve worship rather than political mobilisation.
Politicians, they said, already have other ways to seek public support ahead of the elections. These include media appearances, public barazas and roadside rallies. Campaign activities should therefore not interfere with the role of religious institutions.
Alongside the directive, the bishops asked Kenyans to reflect on whether their current representatives have delivered on their mandates. They urged voters to scrutinise politicians and their promises before deciding whom to elect in 2027.
They also cautioned against allowing campaign noise to cloud individual judgment. Instead, voters should carefully consider who can best represent and lead them.
Bishops oppose restrictions on election tally access
Meanwhile, the bishops raised concerns about proposed electoral amendments, particularly measures seeking to prohibit livestreaming presidential vote tallies. They warned that such proposals could undermine public trust and create unnecessary tension in the country.
They urged Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to reject divisive legislation. Electoral reforms, they said, should strengthen transparency and ensure that citizens can access information throughout the election process.
The bishops also called on Parliament to reject attempts to restrict access to electoral information. They presented the debate as another opportunity for lawmakers to uphold openness, while insisting that Kenyans should have full access to election information.
