Bishop Muheria Hits Out at Politicians Over Funeral Rhetoric

Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, Anthony Muheria
Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, Anthony Muheria
Courtesy

Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria on Sunday sent a stern warning to politicians who are in the habit of settling political scores at funeral ceremonies.

The Bishop, seemingly pissed off by what he termed as the 'politicizing of burials', blasted President William Ruto's allies for their increasing notoriety of bringing politics into funerals.

Muheria was reacting to the recent heated exchange of words witnessed at the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula's mother in Western Kenya where the majority leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung'wah, and Transzoia Governor George Natembeya exchanged words. The Bishop said the incident was as unfortunate and ill-advised.

He slammed the ruling elite for lacking fundamental respect for sacred activities like burial ceremonies and asked the leaders to look deep within themselves for decency.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah (right) receives President William Ruto at JKIA on May 17, 2024.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah (right) receives President William Ruto at JKIA on May 17, 2024.
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Kimani Ichung'wah

"Even in funerals, it seems that we are not even given respect to our parents and ancestors. We've lost all kinds of decorum and respect. Must we dance on the coffins of our loved ones to be popular?" he posed criticizing the political class.

He further called out politicians warning the habit of politicizing burials akin to dancing on their graves. "Have we lost even the moral decency, the conscience of knowing that we are humans who fear God?" he questioned.

At the same time, Bishop Muheria weighed on the issue of abductions which has rocked the country in recent weeks urging for tolerance among those in power.

"It's enough. We can't be commenting about abductions. It doesn't matter who is guilty of whatever crime we say. That person has a soul. That person has a right. His life is worth more than those few remarks he makes," he stated faulting the government for forceful arbitrary arrests that have been reported in the last few months.

However, Ruto's political allies in turn responded to the cleric's scathing criticism terming the utterances as an interference in state affairs cautioning him to focus on his core business, which is spiritual nourishment.

"Don't come and lecture us as if you are god. All of us are human, so let us respect each other," Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi countered.

It comes as politicians allied to Ruto continue to defend the abductions amid public uproar against Kenya Kwanza regime over increased arbitrary arrests that have left tens of youths abducted.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has recorded 61 alleged police killings and 73 cases of abductions or missing persons since June 2024. In December 2024 alone, seven abductions were reported, bringing the total to 29 cases under investigation by KNCHR.

Sudi
From left, Education PS Belio Kipsang, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei during a wedding ceremony in Nakuru on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
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Oscar Sudi
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