Ruto Faces Crucial Queries: Catholic Bishops’ Top 5 Demands
Religious leaders have taken action to urge the government to resolve a range of issues to improve the lives of average citizens.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops presented five critical areas on Friday that the administration commanded by President William Ruto should address without delay.
Overtaxation, difficulties in the education system, the exorbitant cost of living, safeguarding the dignity of the Kenyan people, and unemployment are the five.
In an unemployment statement, the prelate noted that the majority of young people are unemployed.
“We decry the obvious corruption within the public sector, whereby tribalisms and discrimination seem to dictate the chances of employment,” reads the statement.
Consequently, the Bishops implored the state to institute a more open and equitable employment procedure, with a particular emphasis on public office positions.
Additionally, the exorbitant expense of living was identified as a pressing concern that warranted investigation.
The high expense of living, according to the bishops, has profoundly impacted and disrupted the social fabric of Kenyan society.
“Families are under immense stress as they struggle to make ends meet, leading to strained relationships and increased tensions within households,” they said.
“Parents find it challenging to provide for their Children’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being,” reads the statement further.
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The Bishops strongly recommended that the government initiate broader consultations and discussions with other stakeholders to examine and assess potential strategies for mitigating the exorbitant cost of living.
The Bishops additionally asserted that the state ought to abstain from imposing excessive taxes on Kenyan citizens to the extent that petroleum prices have been impacted by conflicts in the Middle East.
“We are aware that part of the cause of this rise in the cost of living, has been due to external factors like the cost of petroleum, and the effects of the Ukranian and Middle East conflicts,” the Bishops said.
The Kenya Kwanza government was urged by the Catholic Bishops to strike a reasonable balance between generating revenue for the government and ensuring that the most fundamental needs of ordinary Kenyans are met with dignity.
Furthermore, they urge the state to reassess the matter of excessive taxation, with a particular focus on individuals in the lower income bracket.
“Many traders and businesses are now faced with the option of closure or laying off employees due to the immense drain on their resources and add tax burdens,” reads the statement further.
Assuring the dignity of every Kenyan, the Bishops commented on the digital identification proposal controversy.
Before implementation, the matter required clarification and public participation, according to the Bishops.
“From what we gather, it targets an element of a violation of the human person, through the use of certain new technology,” the Bishop said.
Their apprehension is that any procedure entailing the insertion of microchips or other digital components, particularly in neonates, would be deemed unacceptable due to its potential to undermine the recipients’ inviolable dignity.
Concerns have been voiced by Kenyans from all over the nation regarding the exorbitant cost of living.
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This is the case notwithstanding the President’s pledge to reduce the tax burden and the cost of living.
In his State of the Nation address, President Ruto stated that Kenya has been living extravagantly and significantly beyond its financial means; this must change.
Ruto stated on Thursday in Parliament that the nation should acknowledge that it has been operating beyond its financial resources.
“We must admit that as a country we had been living large and way beyond our means. The time has come to retire the false comforts,” he said.
Amidst the challenging economic climate, Safaricom’s overdraft facility, Fuliza, attracted an additional minimum of 100,000 debtors seeking to fulfill their fundamental financial obligations.
From September 30 to the first half of the current fiscal year, the number of Fuliza subscribers increased from 7.4 million to 7.5 million, as reported by the telecommunications company.
However, the average loan quantity accepted experienced a decline of Sh60 in value, from Sh320.90 to Sh260, which affected the product’s revenue contribution to the firm as a whole.
Ruto Faces Crucial Queries: Catholic Bishops’ Top 5 Demands