President William Ruto held a meeting with Catholic Bishops at State House, Nairobi, in a significant step towards addressing the widespread protests against the proposed tax increase, known as #RejectFinanceBill2024. The delegation was led by Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The meeting comes after days of demonstrations across Kenya, with citizens voicing their opposition to the proposed tax hikes outlined in the Finance Bill 2024.
“We welcome the commitment by the Catholic Church to participate in a multi-sectoral engagement that seeks solutions to the issues facing our country. Through this collective approach, we will move Kenya forward,” President Ruto stated.
The engagement with the Catholic Church is seen as a crucial move to foster dialogue and seek a unified approach to the economic challenges facing Kenya. The Catholic Church’s participation in a multi-sectoral discussion underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue in addressing the concerns of various stakeholders in the country.
The protests have highlighted the growing public discontent with the proposed tax measures, prompting the government to seek broader consultations to find viable solutions. The Catholic Church, with its extensive reach and influence, is expected to play a pivotal role in these discussions.
As the government navigates this period of economic and social tension, the involvement of religious and civic leaders is anticipated to pave the way for more constructive and collaborative solutions to the pressing issues facing Kenya.
