The Catholic Church in Kenya has urged young people to obtain national identity cards and register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning them against political manipulation, bribery and violence.
In a November 2026 pastoral statement, the Church cautioned young people against allowing politicians to exploit them for political gain, drawing a comparison with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ.
The Church also condemned personal attacks, hate speech and the use of divisive and indecent language by politicians, even before the official campaign period begins.
It called on presidential candidates and aspirants to publicly commit to peaceful campaigns and responsible political engagement, urging voters to assess candidates based on their policies and leadership platforms rather than being swayed by political rhetoric.
The statement further reiterated its position against political campaigning in places of worship, directing that no political addresses be allowed in Catholic churches across the country. Priests were instructed to safeguard churches as spaces for prayer and unity.
On electoral preparedness, the Church called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to uphold its independence and transparency while taking proactive steps to restore public confidence in the electoral process. It also urged the Judiciary to dispense electoral justice impartially.
The Church raised concerns over reported abductions, enforced disappearances and harassment of civil society actors, human rights defenders and journalists, calling on security agencies to remain non-partisan in enforcing the law.
It also cautioned Parliament against introducing divisive legislation that could undermine electoral transparency, citing proposals to ban live-streaming of presidential vote tallies as an example of measures that could heighten tensions.
On education, the Church expressed concern over six Education Bills before the National Assembly, arguing that they depart from the consultative recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.
As the festive season approaches, the Church also appealed to Kenyans to observe road safety, exercise discipline and avoid excessive alcohol consumption and careless driving.
