Governor Natembeya: “Respect for Clergy Must Be Upheld”
TransNzoia Governor George Natembeya has raised concerns about the declining respect for religious leaders in the country, reflecting on a historical episode to highlight the stark contrast in how such matters were handled in the past.
Speaking at a public event, Governor Natembeya recounted the events of 1992 when the late Nakuru Catholic Bishop Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki courageously described ethnic clashes in the Rift Valley as “ethnic cleansing.” Despite the sensitivity of the issue, the then Provincial Commissioner Zachary Ogongo contradicted the bishop’s statement, insinuating that the clergyman was not truthful.
“The late President Moi, although at the helm of a turbulent time, could not tolerate such disrespect. He immediately transferred the Provincial Commissioner to uphold the dignity of the clergy,” Natembeya said.
Drawing parallels with the current state of affairs, the governor lamented the erosion of such values, noting that today public officials openly call bishops liars without repercussions.
“How times have changed,” Natembeya observed. “Back then, leaders understood the role of the church as a moral compass for the nation. Disrespecting the clergy was unthinkable, yet now it seems to have become normalized.”
The governor called on public officials to exercise restraint and respect in their engagements with religious leaders. He emphasized that the clergy plays a critical role in advocating for justice and social harmony, often addressing issues that others shy away from.
“Our religious leaders hold society together through their commitment to truth and justice. As public servants, we have a duty to listen to them, even when their messages are uncomfortable. Dismissing or discrediting them sets a dangerous precedent,” he warned.
Governor Natembeya also used the occasion to urge both the government and citizens to reflect on the nation’s moral fabric and work towards restoring mutual respect and accountability among all sectors of society.
“The Kenya we want must be one where voices of reason are not silenced or dismissed, but rather engaged with understanding and a shared vision for the greater good,” he concluded.
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