Catholic Bishops Ban Political Speeches in Churches Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has barred politicians from delivering political addresses in Catholic churches across the country. The bishops made the announcement at a press briefing on Thursday, November 12, 2026. They have directed all priests to enforce the ban.

The bishops said churches must not be turned into campaign platforms. They argued that politicians already have other ways to reach voters. These include 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. They asked priests to apply the directive seriously.

The bishops said churches should remain places of worship. They warned that campaigns must not interfere with the work of religious institutions.

They also called on Kenyans to judge their current leaders carefully. The bishops urged voters to weigh performance before casting ballots in the next election. They described the coming polls as a chance to choose leaders who will deliver.

The church also warned voters not to let campaign noise cloud their judgment. Voters were advised to examine politicians and their promises closely. "The noise that pollutes the air during political campaigns must not block our individual discernment," the bishops added.

The bishops raised concerns about proposed electoral laws too. They pointed to a Bill that would ban the livestreaming of presidential vote tallies. They said such a move could fuel tension and undermine public trust.

They appealed to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula. They asked both to reject divisive legislation. They also urged Parliament to ensure that electoral reforms promote openness and public access to information.

"Parliament has yet one more chance to redeem itself by totally rejecting such an attempt to muzzle free access to information," the bishops said. They called for full transparency in the elections, so Kenyans can access all the facts.