Catholic Bishops raise alarm over abductions, police harassment ahead of 2027 polls

The bishops warn that Kenya’s democratic freedoms are under threat, demand an independent IEBC and declare churches out of bounds for political campaigns.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has raised alarm over growing incidents of abductions, enforced disappearances and harassment of human rights defenders, warning that Kenya’s democratic freedoms are increasingly under threat as the country prepares for the 2027 General Elections.

In a strongly worded national statement, the bishops expressed concern that some incidents of abductions and intimidation are allegedly being carried out by armed individuals in collaboration with police officers, while in other cases, police officers have reportedly acted as goons against legitimate actors exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The bishops condemned the violations, warning that the suppression of dissent and intimidation of citizens threaten the foundations of a democratic society.

“We are concerned that the freedom of speech in our country is being tested on all fronts, and frequently contravened especially as we head to the 2027 General Elections,” the bishops stated.

They called on security agencies to uphold the Constitution, protect civil liberties and exercise their mandate impartially, without favouring particular political candidates or affiliations.

The bishops’ concerns come against the backdrop of growing political activity and heightened national attention on the credibility of institutions expected to oversee the next General Election.

Churches warned against political campaigns

In a firm directive to the clergy and political class, the bishops declared that Catholic churches must not be turned into political campaign platforms.

They noted that places of worship should remain sacred spaces where Kenyans from different political backgrounds can gather in prayer and seek spiritual nourishment without political interference.

The bishops particularly cautioned politicians against exploiting religious gatherings to advance their political ambitions, stressing that churches must remain places of unity, peace and reconciliation.

“We are therefore reiterating and insisting that there shall not be any political address given in any of our Catholic Churches in any part of the country,” the statement declared.

They instructed all Catholic priests to implement the directive with the seriousness it deserves.

IEBC under pressure to deliver credible elections

The bishops also placed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at the centre of their concerns, demanding an independent, transparent and credible electoral process in 2027.

They warned against a repeat of past electoral mistakes that have resulted in violent disputes, loss of lives and destruction of property.

The Conference called on the IEBC to strengthen voter registration, logistics, training of election officials, protection and verification of results, management of political party agents and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.

It further cautioned politicians and other powerful interests against intimidating, manipulating or compromising the electoral body.

According to the bishops, the credibility of an election must go beyond the final declaration of results and be anchored in public confidence in the entire electoral process.

They also urged the Judiciary to dispense justice, particularly in electoral matters, with diligence and impartiality.

Politicians told to abandon hate speech and personal attacks

With political temperatures expected to rise as the 2027 elections approach, the bishops called on political aspirants and their supporters to exercise restraint in public discourse and abandon inflammatory language.

They warned that insults, personal attacks and offensive political rhetoric risk undermining national cohesion and creating an environment conducive to hate speech and violence.

The bishops also reminded political actors that the officially stipulated campaign period had not yet begun, urging them to respect the law and demonstrate responsible leadership.

They challenged presidential candidates, in particular, to make a public commitment to peaceful campaigns and political decency.

Youth warned against political violence

The bishops also appealed to young Kenyans to resist attempts by politicians to recruit them into violence and other political malpractices in exchange for money or other inducements.

They encouraged young people to acquire national identification cards and register as voters to actively participate in shaping the country’s leadership.

The Conference urged the youth to use their creativity and social media skills to promote peace, protect one another and reject political manipulation.

It cautioned that no financial inducement should be worth sacrificing one’s dignity, future or life.

Parliament cautioned over divisive legislation

The bishops further raised concerns over proposed legislation that could create unnecessary political tensions ahead of the elections.

They specifically questioned proposals such as banning the livestreaming of presidential vote tallies, warning that such measures could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

They urged the Speakers of Parliament to ensure that divisive Bills are not introduced, insisting that Kenyans deserve full transparency and access to electoral information.

On education, the bishops also expressed reservations about six Education Bills before the National Assembly, arguing that some provisions depart from established consultative processes and could weaken institutions that have served the country for decades.

They called for reforms that uphold stakeholder participation and strengthen the education sector.

Call for responsible leadership

The bishops urged Kenyans to use the period leading to the 2027 General Elections to reflect on the performance of their elected leaders and make informed choices at the ballot.

They challenged voters not to be swayed by political noise, empty promises or campaign theatrics, but to carefully assess candidates’ track records, integrity and capacity to deliver on their mandates.

The statement also called on Kenyans to reject political goonism, violence, corruption and divisive politics, insisting that national unity must take precedence over individual and partisan interests.

The bishops concluded by appealing for a different political culture anchored in dialogue rather than confrontation, service rather than self-interest, accountability rather than impunity, and solidarity rather than division.

The statement was issued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops following its gathering at the John Cardinal Otunga Pastoral Centre in Embu.