Clergy calls for sobriety as country rolls into politically charged year

As Kenyans usher in the New Year, the Church has challenged the Kenya Kwanza administration to address the challenges of economic strain, political polarization, and institutional mistrust, grappling the country.

In their New Year messages, church leaders across the country called on the government to take urgent action on governance, the economy, corruption, and institutional independence.

Speaking during the New Year service at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit stated that the political temperature in the country mirrors an election season, despite elections being 19 months away.

“It feels like the elections are only a few weeks away. We are a country largely divided between the ‘Two term’ and the ‘One Term’ camps. Very few of us are in the forum that is campaigning for Kenya’s national agenda and National interests,” said Sapit.

His sentiments were backed by Bishop Peter Manyuru of Pentecostal Voice of Kenya, who called on the political class to stop early campaigns, tone down on rhetoric, and instead focus on addressing issues hurting Kenyans, including the high cost of living, insecurity, police brutality, and corruption.

“Stop divisive politics and serve the electorate so that Kenyans can have a good life. Create laws that support Kenyans, not hurt them. When taxes are increased, the person affected is the common mwananchi,” he said.

Archbishop Phillip Anyolo of the Catholic Nairobi Diocese called on Kenyans to be peaceful and maintain togetherness in the New Year.

“Have a special relationship with you and for yourself, with your brothers and sisters and your families. Remember the attitude of lovingness and the attitude of gratitude,” said Anyolo.

To address the challenges facing Kenya’s young people, Ole Sapit proposed a national dialogue with young people to develop a plan aimed at addressing unemployment, exclusion, and economic marginalization, backing a proposal by former Makueni governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana to form the “Kenya Youth Marshall Plan.”

“The median age of our country and Africa is 19 years. We are one of the youngest countries on earth with more than 70 per cent of our people currently below 35 years of age,” said Sapit. “We propose that Kenya as a nation, not just the government of the day sit down with the youth to develop what Prof Kivutha Kibwana has called the Kenya Youth Marshall Plan. As the ACK, we are willing to fully support such a process to address the state of our youth.”

At Christ the King Cathedral, Father Joseph Muchiri reminded Kenyans to maintain peaceful as the country edges towards the 2027 general elections.

“Where there is no peace, there is no civilisation, no progress, nor development. You cannot even practice your religion if there is no peace,” said Muchiri. He regretted that the country, especially leaders, celebrate when there is chaos, hate speech, abuse, wrangles, and political tensions.

Bishop Ben Ng’ang’a of Chosen Generation recalled how the country had faced political and economic challenges in 2025 and said they were hopeful that 2026 would be different.

In Kakamega, Reverend Samuel Wanyama of New Hope Church urged Kenyans to resist despair and remain hopeful despite economic hardships.

At the St. Joseph ASK Mlimani in Kisumu, Bishop David Kodia challenged Kenyans to be concerned over vices such as corruption and high taxation,

“The year ahead will test our patience, but God remains faithful. Let us walk together, support one another, and refuse to give up,” he said.

He reminded Kenyans, who are always swayed and overwhelmed with politics to maintain their hopes, peace and sanity hoping for peaceful political season.

Ole Sapit raised concerns over the irregular introduction of Funds including the Infrastructure Fund arguing that it could trigger a future financial crisis similar to the 2008 in the United States

“We warn that the extra-constitutional avenues of creating funds and then securitizing our taxes can actually lead to disaster a few years down the line.”

“Without transparency and constitutional safeguards, he cautioned, these schemes which he termed as “securitized avenues for a borrowing frenzy,” risk becoming state-sanctioned Ponzi arrangements.

Calling corruption “an existential threat to our nation,” Ole Sapit warned that graft has become entrenched from the lowest to the highest levels of government and across both public and private sectors.

He expressed concern over the proposed Sh5 trillion infrastructure fund, arguing that its operation outside the national budget and constitutional public finance controls opens the door to mega-scandals.

By bypassing oversight institutions such as the Auditor-General and the Controller of Budget, he said Parliament risks authorising future financial crimes.

“In 2026, Kenya must reconvene to refresh our war on corruption, which is basically dead in Kenya, even with institutions like EACC, DPP, and DCI all trying to look busy at fighting corruption,” he stated.

He also warned against what he termed as “growing appetite” to sell strategic public assets, describing them as pillars of the economy and part of the nation’s inheritance.

Further he raised concerns over the education and healthcare sectors, describing both as operating on survival mode.

He cited slashed and delayed capitation for public primary and secondary schools, unresolved questions around the Competency-Based Curriculum transition, unreliable university funding and prolonged lecturers’ strikes that have inflicted hardship on students and families.

“The president owes the country clear answers on all the issues in the education sector.
The Healthcare concerns in our country go far beyond the SHIF funding model which is shrouded in controversy and corruption,” he asserted.

He called for a national convention on the right to healthcare and demanded clarity on the implications of the recently signed America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS) with the United States, questioning its impact on Kenya’s health system and sovereignty.

Ole Sapit described the 2027 polls as an incumbency election, noting that historically, elections where sitting president is seeking reelection have been marred with bloodshed, economic crisis citing past elections in 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2017 as cautionary examples.

He warned that Kenya is fixated on election day rather than the entire electoral cycle calling for national consensus on issues ranging from voter registration, campaign financing and election technology to media conduct, artificial intelligence, social media, hate speech, civic education, dispute resolution and the role of security agencies.

“Our country is too important to be left to politicians alone. We urge all politicians to safeguard our constitution and there is no need for change of the constitution,” he urged.

At Christ the King Cathedral, Father Joseph Muchiri reminded Kenyans to maintain peaceful as the country edges towards the 2027 general elections.

“Where there is no peace, there is no civilization, no progress, nor development. You cannot even practice your religion if there is no peace,” said Fr Muchiri.

Muchiri regretted that the country, especially leaders, celebrate when there is chaos, hate speech, abuse, wrangles, and political tensions.

“We are all welcome to be the instruments and ambassadors of peace and unity. Even on social media, let us change the narrative to that of peace or otherwise we will not achieve our goals,” Muchiri urged.

He warned Christians to be vigilant, especially as Kenya gears towards the 2027 General Elections, where many political parties will emerge.

Bishop Ben Ng’ang’a of Chosen Generation recalled how the country had faced political and economic challenges in 2025 and said they were hopeful that 2026 would be different.

He reminded Kenyans, who are always swayed and overwhelmed with politics to maintain their hopes, peace and sanity hoping for peaceful political season.

Father Martin Opuko, the parish priest, urged the youth to abandon destructive behaviour and instead become agents of positive change and embrace forgiveness and reconciliation as in the New Year.

“As Christ is born, so may He be born in your hearts, especially the youths, so that you may be forgiving towards one another. Anger, violence and hatred will only destroy our future. Forgiveness is the foundation of peace,” Father Opuko said.

Similar messages echoed across churches nationwide.

In Kakamega County, worshippers ushered in 2026 with solemn prayer and sacramental reflection at the Mary Seat of Wisdom Chaplaincy within Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

Elsewhere in Kakamega, Reverend Samuel Wanyama of New Hope Church urged Kenyans to resist despair and remain hopeful despite economic hardships.

“The year ahead will test our patience, but God remains faithful. Let us walk together, support one another, and refuse to give up,” he said.

In Kisumu, residents converged at the Kona mbuta area for a community-led prayer session organized by the Great Commission Center Church to welcome the new year.

The church’s Bishop Dr. Davies Okombo called for tolerance and the spirit of brotherhood among residents as a means to tackle the many socio-economic challenges facing the residents of the informal settlements.

Okombo, in his comments following a presidential address by President William Ruto to the nation earlier, urged the President to walk the talk this year by ensuring that each of his promises to the people are delivered.

He welcomed the president’s concern about the increasing rate of alcoholism, saying that the menace could be erased through mechanism provided in the laws.

At the St. Joseph ASK Mlimani in Kisumu, Bishop David Kodia challenged Kenyans to be concerned over vices such as corruption and high taxation, which he says continue to derail the progress of the nation.

At the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church International, Archbishop Winnie Owiti expressed confidence that 2026 will be a better year for Kenyans.

Last year, she said, was full of challenges, including the demise of prominent political figures such as the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Report by Jacinta Mutura, Okumu Modachi, Mary Imenza, Clinton Ambujoh, and Daniel Chege