Catholic Bishops Ban Political Speeches in Churches Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Catholic Church has banned politicians from delivering political speeches in churches across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election, directing priests to enforce the order.

Addressing the press on Thursday, November 12, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops said politicians should not turn places of worship into campaign platforms as they seek support from Kenyans.

The bishops maintained that politicians have several other avenues to reach voters, including the media, public barazas and roadside rallies.

“We are therefore reiterating and directing that there shall be no political addresses given in any of our Catholic churches in any part of the country,” the bishops stated.

Priests Ordered to Enforce

The bishops instructed all Catholic priests to implement the directive diligently and treat it with the seriousness it deserves.

They warned that political campaigns should not interfere with the role of religious institutions, insisting that churches remain places of worship rather than platforms for political mobilisation.

Call for Sober Voting

The bishops urged Kenyans to assess the performance of their current leaders and make informed decisions when choosing representatives.

“We have before us a moment to reflect and evaluate the performance of the leaders we have and vote wisely; this is a great opportunity to exercise our right to elect leaders to deliver on their mandate,” they stated.

They cautioned voters against allowing campaigns to cloud their judgment.

“The noise that pollutes the air during political campaigns must not block our individual discernment of who is best suited to represent and lead us,” they added.

Warning on Electoral Amendments

The bishops also cautioned Parliament against introducing electoral changes that could undermine public trust, particularly proposals seeking to ban the livestreaming of presidential vote tallies.

“We are concerned about the introduction of Bills, such as the banning of livestreaming presidential vote tallies, which raise unnecessary tensions in the country,” they stated.

They urged Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to reject divisive legislation and ensure reforms promote transparency.

“Parliament has yet one more chance to redeem itself by totally rejecting such an attempt to muzzle free access to information. There should be full transparency in the elections where Kenyans have access to all information,” they added.