This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On October 5, 2019, the Catholic Church in Kenya took a bold step in the fight against corruption by launching a six-month campaign aimed at rooting out the vice from the society.
As part of the campaign, the church has banned political remarks inside church and is encouraging cashless donations to improve transparency and accountability.
Bishop Philip Anyolo, the chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that the church will not allow itself to be used as a political platform. “Political statements will not be allowed during the liturgical celebrations,” he said during the national prayers day at Subukia shrine.
The church has also introduced measures to promote transparency in donations, including requiring contributions for church projects to be made via mobile money or cashier’s cheque. This will provide details of the donors, thus improving accountability.
The public will also be involved in the campaign, with the faithful being subjected to renewal of baptismal vows in the next six months. Additionally, any gifts given to church leaders exceeding Ksh50,000 will be recorded, and the gifts must be accompanied by a cover letter from the donor.
The bishops vowed to stump out the “tremendous corruption that has imprisoned our hearts, families and the entire society” and are adhering to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appeal that the church and private sector should promote the government’s efforts in battling the vice that threatens the country’s wellbeing.
