Sudi attacks Muheria over "double speak"

By Robert Mutasi

Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has fired back at criticism from Catholic bishops in Kenya and accused Archbishop Anthony Muheria of "doublespeak" and fanning tribal divisions.

In a statement released on his verified social media account on Thursday, November 14, 2024, Sudi faulted Muheria for questioning the government's honesty and lack of fulfillment of its promises.

"It's dumbfounding to see Archbishop Anthony Muheria preach the gospel on one hand and fan tribalism on the other hand," Sudi wrote.

He challenged the moral authority of the archbishop to criticise the current administration, citing that Muheria supported the previous regime despite its weaknesses.

"Muheria lacks the moral authority to criticize the current regime because he is akin to doublespeak," Sudi declared, adding that the cleric should not be involved in "tribal politics."

The exchange follows last week's utterances by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressing its fears over the integrity and trustworthiness record of the Ruto administration.

Pressing with the accusations in Nairobi, the bishops, led by KCCB chairman Maurice Muhatia, accused the government of cultivating a "culture of lies" and abdicating its duty, particularly in terms of basic services.

"The culture of lies is gradually replacing the integrity and respect Kenyans deserve," the bishops said in their joint statement. "It appears that truth does not exist, and if it does, it is only what the government says."

The bishops have called on Kenyans to desist from legitimizing political promises not kept and to ensure accountability by leaders in words and actions.

They were particularly concerned that the government had fallen back on its promises of making prompt payments to the National Health Insurance Fund, NHIF, a fact that has brought faith-based hospitals countrywide to their knees.

The bishops noted that these institutions, which provide essential healthcare to the most vulnerable communities, are owed billions by the government, a fact they termed "a serious betrayal" of the promises made to citizens, and said they have raised this issue no less with President William Ruto himself.

The increase in tension between the government and religious leaders, who have lately used adverse comments on the performance of the administration on core issues in social and economic means, was Sudi's utterance.