Gladys Shollei Criticizes Catholic Bishops Over President Ruto’s Administration Remarks
Uasin Gishu Women Representative, Gladys Shollei, has expressed her disappointment following recent remarks by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) that condemned President William Ruto’s administration.*
In a statement issued earlier this week, the Catholic bishops voiced serious concerns about escalating corruption, extrajudicial killings, and what they described as heightened insensitivity by the government in addressing these issues. The bishops also accused the administration of failing to effectively manage public affairs and allowing itself to become compromised by corrupt practices.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Shollei, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, rebuked the bishops for what she termed an overstep into the realm of governance. “The work of the bishops is the spiritual work. Let them leave the business of running the country to those who are tasked with the job of running the country,” Shollei said.
The remarks came in the wake of a statement by KCCB, which had expressed grave concerns about the government’s handling of human rights issues, particularly regarding its tax policies, which they said were burdensome to the citizens, and alleged corruption scandals that have continued to plague the administration.
Shollei emphasized that it was the responsibility of elected leaders, particularly President Ruto, to govern the country. “The president was elected to run the country. The executive is there to support him, parliament to provide oversight, and governors to promote devolution,” she added.
Her comments highlight the growing tension between political leaders and religious institutions in Kenya, especially regarding the role of the church in political matters. While the KCCB has positioned itself as a moral authority, urging the government to address issues of governance and accountability, Shollei’s criticism reflects the sentiment that the church should focus on spiritual matters rather than political affairs.
The bishops’ recent statement has sparked a public debate, coming just days after they accused President Ruto’s administration of human rights violations and corruption, as well as the government’s failure to protect citizens from extrajudicial killings. They have called for immediate reforms to address these concerns.
As the political discourse intensifies, it remains to be seen whether this exchange between Shollei and the bishops will escalate or whether it will lead to further dialogue on the role of religious institutions in Kenya’s governance.
President William Ruto has yet to respond publicly to the bishops’ latest criticism.
By Wesley Kiplimo
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