Archbishop Anyolo rebuke leaders over rising political tensions, urge focus on service

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese/HANDOUT

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, has called on political leaders to tone down rising tensions and prioritise the delivery of their 2022 campaign pledges.

Speaking on Sunday, Archbishop Anyolo urged leaders to remember that their mandate is to serve Kenyans and address development needs rather than engage in constant disputes.

The Archbishop warned that persistent political quarrels risk alienating citizens and undermining public confidence in leadership.

“We ask our politicians—they are the leaders of this country—to look at us as the people who elect them and bring them to those levels. They are meant to serve Kenyans, who love their leaders and want to hear positive things about development and how they can be helped,” he said.

“Where there are a lot of quarrels, people are upset. We still have time before the next general elections. We ask them to be friendly to one another.”

Anyolo emphasised the need for unity and reconciliation, noting that the Church will continue to advocate for peaceful engagement among leaders.

“The Church will never stop telling them to come together and reconcile. Allow God to guide the best leader for our country. We ask our leaders to be sober in their language, thinking, and actions,” he said.

He urged leaders to remain focused on actions that contribute to the greater good of Kenyans. The opposition and President William Ruto have been engaging in public verbal altercations.

Ruto has continued his sharp criticism of opposition leaders, particularly presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i, as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 general election.

The President took aim at Matiang’i over his “eating habits and physical fitness.”

“I have not claimed that you eat at my place; I have just asked you to reduce the portions,” Ruto said.

“And if you were eating at my place, I would have reduced the amounts you eat.”

The President urged opposition leaders to adopt healthier lifestyles, arguing that discipline in personal habits is necessary for effective leadership.

“They should reduce their portions and also exercise so that they do not sleep in rallies and meetings,” Ruto said. “They should reduce their weight, and maybe then they will have an agenda and come to face me in 2027. For now, they do not have any agenda.”

The remarks came a day after the President launched a similar attack while addressing residents in Chwele, Bungoma County, where he appeared to respond to criticism from his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who had previously commented on his physical appearance.

“Kwanza mimi nauliza wengine waende gym… Wacheni kula chakula mingi… Tumbo karibu inapasuka…” Ruto said in Swahili, in comments widely interpreted as targeting opposition figures.

He defended his own lifestyle, saying it reflects discipline and focus.

Kisumu Archbishop Maurice Muhatia has also called on political leaders to exercise restraint in their public utterances.

The Archbishop warned that rising cases of verbal abuse are eroding public confidence and damaging the country’s image.

He expressed concern about growing indiscipline among leaders, saying their conduct is negatively influencing young people and embarrassing the nation.

“I call upon leaders, especially political leaders, to exercise restraint. The children listening to you are shocked, and young people are traumatised because in you is represented the collapse of their aspiration for leadership,” he said.

Muhatia noted that adults are equally disillusioned, describing some leaders as a poor representation of their generation.