The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has launched this year’s Lenten Campaign with a call to the country to uphold human dignity, strengthen national cohesion and fast-track electoral preparedness as Kenya moves steadily toward the 2027 General Elections.
Rose Achiego Ande – Lodwar
In a statement delivered by the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops and Metropolitan Archbishop of Kisumu, Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the bishops called on leaders and citizens alike to recommit to justice, peace and unity.
The statement was issued during the launch of this year’s Lenten Campaign at the Immaculate Conception Shrine in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar under the theme “Building a Just, Peaceful and United Kenya: Upholding Human Dignity.”
Quoting from the Prophet Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow” — Archbishop Muhatia said the campaign is both a spiritual mandate and a national wake-up call.
A Lenten call to action
As Lent begins, the bishops invited all Kenyans to examine their personal and collective responsibility in building a just society. The season, they said, is a time for prayer, repentance, reconciliation and concrete acts of solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
“The future of our nation depends on the choices we make today,” Archbishop Muhatia exhorted. “We must choose justice over injustice, unity over division, service over self-interest and peace over conflict.”
Human dignity is non-negotiable
The bishops emphasised that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, making dignity inherent and non-negotiable. They expressed concern that many Kenyans continue to endure poverty, unemployment, corruption, insecurity and limited access to essential services.
“A nation cannot claim progress while a significant portion of its people live without hope or opportunity,” the Archbishop said, underscoring that development must be inclusive and people-centered.
Launch of Lenten campaigh in Lodwar
Caution against divisive politics
With political activity intensifying ahead of Kenya’s 2027 elections, the bishops warned against premature campaigns characterised by inflammatory rhetoric, ethnic polarisation and violence.
They urged leaders to exercise restraint and focus on service delivery, noting that divisive politics threatens national stability and social harmony.
“Politics must never become a battlefield for personal ambition at the expense of national cohesion,” Archbishop Muhatia affirmed.
Governance, accountability and rule of law
The statement also addressed persistent governance concerns, including corruption, misuse of public resources, weak accountability mechanisms and the mounting public debt burden.
The bishops called on public officials to embrace ethical leadership and responsible stewardship of national resources. They stressed that taxes must translate into tangible services for citizens and that economic policy must prioritise equity and sustainability.
Additionally, they condemned rising incidents of violence, intimidation and human rights violations, including disruptions of peaceful gatherings and places of worship. Churches, they said, are sacred spaces that must be respected at all times.
Youth engagement and electoral readiness
Encouraging democratic renewal, the bishops called on young people to register as voters, participate in civic discourse and consider leadership roles.
They further appealed to Parliament to expedite electoral reforms and ensure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is adequately resourced to conduct credible elections. Comprehensive voter education and nationwide registration drives, they noted, are essential to guarantee free, fair and peaceful polls.
The Bishops’s Lenten Message urges Kenyans at all levels of society to seriously consider a reset in leadership culture, civic engagement and governance priorities to secure a just, peaceful and united Kenya.
