In a directive issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the bishops instructed Catholic priests to prevent politicians from using church gatherings to solicit votes, promote political ambitions or mobilise support for their parties.
The bishops said the approaching elections should not provide politicians with an excuse to turn religious institutions into spaces for political competition, insisting that churches must remain places of prayer, unity and spiritual nourishment.
“Electioneering does not make it exceptional to turn places of worship into political platforms,” the bishops stated.
They further emphasised that churches bring together people with different political beliefs and should remain welcoming spaces where worshippers are not subjected to partisan political messages.
“People from opposing political parties come to places of worship, not as parties but as worshippers. We do not make distinctions on the status of worshippers. Everyone is welcome to a place of worship,” they said.
The bishops directed all Catholic priests to ensure the decision is implemented across their respective churches, warning that the directive must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
“We are therefore instructing all our priests to implement this position of the Bishops’ Conference with diligence and the seriousness it deserves,” they stated.
Addressing politicians seeking public support ahead of the elections, the religious leaders said there were other platforms available for communicating political agendas, including the media, public barazas and roadside rallies.
Beyond the restrictions on political speeches in churches, the bishops expressed concern over the language used by political leaders and their supporters as political competition intensifies.
They cautioned that tribal, hateful, offensive and divisive statements could undermine the country’s relative peace, particularly during an election period.
“Charged campaigns should not be a pretext to use polarising language,” the bishops warned.
They added that politicians and their supporters were expected to demonstrate maturity in their public statements and conduct, noting that offensive political exchanges also set a poor example for younger generations.
“We must not forget that the relative peace we enjoy can be lost through careless words,” they said.
The bishops called on presidential aspirants and other political leaders to publicly commit themselves to peaceful campaigns and political decency.
They also urged young Kenyans to obtain national identity cards and register as voters, cautioning them against accepting financial inducements to participate in electoral malpractice or violence.
As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, the bishops’ intervention places renewed attention on the role of religious institutions in protecting democratic values and maintaining national unity.
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