The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has banned politicians from giving political speeches in Catholic churches across Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The bishops say churches must remain places of prayer, unity, and spiritual support, not venues for campaign mobilisation.
The directive was announced on Thursday, during a press conference at the Cardinal John Njue Pastoral Centre in Embu. KCCB Vice-Chairman and Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria said; “We are direct that there shall not be any political address given in any of our Catholic churches in any part of our country.”
The bishops instructed Catholic priests and pastoral leaders to enforce the rule strictly. They said priests have a duty to protect sacred places from being used for political campaigns.
The bishops explained that churches bring together Kenyans from different political parties, communities, and backgrounds. They believe no worshipper should feel pressured, excluded, or forced to support a candidate while attending a religious service.
Archbishop Muheria said: “People come to places of worship to find inner peace. People of opposing political parties come to places of worship, not as parties but as worshippers.”
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He added that churches should remain symbols of “unity, love and care,” and should be open to everyone regardless of political affiliation.
The bishops are not stopping politicians from seeking votes. They only want election campaigns kept out of Catholic churches.
Politicians can still share their messages and manifestos through the media, public barazas, roadside rallies, and other public forums.
Archbishop Muheria said: “Politicians have many options to utilise in their search for votes, including the media, barazas and roadside rallies.”
In Kenya, some political leaders have often attended church services and used the pulpit to speak about elections, attack rivals, ask for votes, or mobilise supporters.
Such events can turn a worship service into a political rally, even when the congregation includes people who support different parties.
The bishops said there have been growing incidents of politicians trying to turn places of worship into campaign platforms.
This practice can also make churches appear to support one politician or party. That risks dividing believers and undermining the Church’s role as a neutral space for prayer and moral guidance. The KCCB’s new directive is meant to stop this before campaigning intensifies ahead of the 2027 election.
The bishops, led by KCCB Chairman Archbishop Maurice Muhatia and Vice-Chairman Archbishop Anthony Muheria, also criticised presidential aspirants for using tribal, hateful, insulting, and demeaning language. They warned that such words could divide Kenyans and create tension as the election approaches.
They said: “Charged campaigns should not be a pretext to use polarising language. Kenyans expect people seeking office and their supporters to be civilised in their language, attitudes and behaviour.”
Their warning came amid rising public exchanges between President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
The bishops said the official campaign period has not yet begun, and politicians should therefore behave responsibly even before formal campaigns start.
The bishops also asked security organs to apply the law fairly and without favouring any candidate or political group. They urged authorities to remain non-partisan as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Finally, the bishops encouraged Kenyans to vote wisely and choose leaders who can deliver on their promises. Archbishop Muheria said: “Vote wisely. It is a great opportunity to exercise our individual and collective right to elect leaders who will deliver on their mandate.”