National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged leaders to remain united and focus on resolving national issues instead of engaging in blame games.
Speaking on Saturday, March 1, 2025, during the burial of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo in Bartabwa, Baringo County, Wetang’ula stressed the importance of collective responsibility in building the nation. He urged Members of Parliament to use their positions to foster cohesion among Kenyans rather than fueling divisions.
“Our country will not have other people from outside to help us build our unity and our development; it is ourselves. Therefore, I implore the honorable members of Parliament, because you are the ones with the platform to speak at all times, let’s speak in a language that brings Kenyans together,” Wetang’ula said.
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He also advised church leaders to focus on their religious duties and refrain from engaging in political disputes. He emphasized that the key to overcoming challenges is to seek solutions rather than assign blame, as difficulties are part of any nation’s journey.
“When there is a problem, the answer is to look for a solution, not to blame others, because after the blame, the problem will not go. Challenges will always be there,” he said.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who was also present, supported Wetang’ula’s sentiments but criticized some religious leaders for what he described as unnecessary involvement in political matters. He accused certain members of the clergy of abandoning their spiritual responsibilities in favor of political activism.
Ichung’wah particularly took issue with faith-based health institutions demanding that the government clear debts owed to them by the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). He argued that religious leaders remained silent when funds were being misused under NHIF but had now become vocal following the transition to the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which inherited the debts.
The MP questioned why clergy members did not protest corruption in NHIF but had now raised concerns about pending debts.
“We now hope and pray that the church will focus on justice to guide believers to heaven, which is their primary role, and leave politics to politicians,” Ichung’wah stated.
“When money was being stolen from NHIF, we never heard them protesting about our rights or about that debt. It is only now, when SHA has inherited the debt, that we are hearing these complaints,” he added.
Church to state
This comes hot on the heels of Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria openly criticising President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of prioritizing self-promotion over real development. He urged the government to reduce political rhetoric and focus on tangible action.
“There has to be less rhetoric. We have to stop advertising and act. The government is not an advertising agency. It is an agency that implements actions. That’s what we want to see,” Muheria asserted.