February 10, 2025
'Don't Politicize Funerals!' - Bishop Muheria Tells Politicians

‘Don’t Politicize Funerals!’ – Bishop Muheria Tells Politicians

On Sunday, Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria issued a strong warning to politicians who settle political scores at funerals.

The Bishop, apparently irritated by what he termed the ‘politicization of graves,’ chastised President William Ruto’s friends for their growing reputation for injecting politics into funerals.

Muheria was reacting to the recent heated discussion that occurred at the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s mother in Western Kenya.

Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader in the National Assembly exchanged words with Transnzoia Governor George Natembeya. The Bishop described the episode as unfortunate and ill-advised.

He chastised the ruling class for their lack of fundamental regard for sacred activities such as burial ceremonies and urged them to dig deep inside themselves for morality.

“Even in funerals, it seems that we are not even given respect to our parents and ancestors. We’ve lost all kinds of decorum and respect. Must we dance on the coffins of our loved ones to be popular?” he posed criticizing the political class.

He also warned lawmakers against politicizing burials, which is comparable to dancing on their graves.

“Have we lost even the moral decency, the conscience of knowing that we are humans who fear God?” he questioned.

At the same time, Bishop Muheria spoke on the current spate of abductions in the country, imploring people in positions of power to be more tolerant.

“It’s enough. We can’t be commenting about abductions. It doesn’t matter who is guilty of whatever crime we say,” he stated.

“That person has a soul. That person has a right. His life is worth more than those few remarks he makes.”

The Bishop criticized the government for the arbitrary arrests that have occurred in recent months.

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Ruto’s political allies, in turn, responded to the cleric’s harsh criticism, describing the statements as interference in state matters and cautioning him to focus on his core business, spiritual nutrition.

“Don’t come and lecture us as if you are god. All of us are human, so let us respect each other,” Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi countered.

It comes as lawmakers close to Ruto continue to defend the abductions, despite widespread public outrage against the Kenya Kwanza regime’s increased arbitrary arrests, which have resulted in the abduction of tens of young people.

Since June 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has registered 61 alleged police killings and 73 reports of abduction or missing persons.

Seven abductions were recorded in December 2024 alone, increasing the total number of instances investigated by KNCHR to 29.

‘Don’t Politicize Funerals!’ – Bishop Muheria Tells Politicians