Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-12 18:06:50
President William Ruto convened a meeting with the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) at State House in Nairobi on April 12. This meeting was held in response to the pressing issues raised by the Catholic Bishops during their press conference on April 11. During the meeting, President Ruto expressed his appreciation for the support of the clergy in the government’s development agenda, particularly in the health and education sectors. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with religious leaders to strengthen the country’s governance.
“The church is a valuable partner in our development agenda. We appreciate their input in the health and education sectors and look forward to working together to strengthen our country’s governance,” President Ruto stated during the meeting.
The meeting took place the day after the bishops raised concerns about various issues, calling for quick action by the government. One of the key issues raised by the KCCB was the unwarranted hike in the permit charge fee for missionaries, which had allegedly been raised from Ksh15,000 to Ksh150,000. The bishops urged the government to reconsider this levy and scrap it off, emphasizing the importance of showing gratitude and appreciation to priests, religious men and women, and other social missionary volunteers.
In addition to the permit fee issue, the bishops also called for an immediate resolution to the ongoing doctors’ strike, urging both the government and the doctors to prioritize the well-being of patients. They emphasized the need for a working arrangement that does not put the lives of patients at risk. The clergy also raised concerns about the Ksh2 billion debt owed by the government to Catholic-led hospitals, calling for its repayment.
The meeting at State House provided an opportunity for President Ruto to engage with the Catholic Bishops on these critical issues and seek ways to address them collaboratively. It underscored the importance of partnership between the government and religious institutions in order to address societal challenges and advance the development agenda of the country.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the valuable role that the church plays in supporting the government’s efforts in various sectors and underscored the importance of working together to strengthen governance and address pressing issues facing the nation. President Ruto’s commitment to collaborating with religious leaders signals a promising direction for building partnerships that can drive positive change and development in Kenya.
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