Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Mombasa has sent a strong warning to President William Ruto about the government’s increasing appetite for loans. He said that this habit of excessive borrowing could harm future generations and push the country deeper into a financial crisis.
During his Easter message, the Archbishop called on the President to reduce borrowing and instead focus on managing Kenya’s limited resources wisely to boost economic growth. He raised concerns over how the borrowed money is being used, wondering if it is really going into useful development projects or simply disappearing without any visible impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Archbishop Kivuva questioned the government’s transparency and accountability by asking the same questions many Kenyans are asking—where is the money going, and why does the government keep borrowing more?
He compared the situation to someone already drowning in debt but still running around borrowing from anyone willing to lend. He said that even though President Ruto claims to know what he is doing, the reality is that someone will have to pay for all these loans, and that someone will be the citizens, especially future generations.
The Archbishop stressed that they are not saying the President is clueless, but warned that even international bodies and foreign countries have raised concerns about Kenya’s debt levels. He said that what is needed now is caution so that the nation does not collapse under its own debts.
He called on Kenyans to stay awake, speak out, and question any signs of misuse of public resources. He warned that national assets are at risk, especially if Kenya is unable to repay its growing debt, which could lead to foreign powers seizing key assets.
Religious leaders also used the Easter service to criticize the leadership at both national and county levels. Pastor Robert Mkolwe, who chairs the Interfaith Religious Community, compared the current leaders to the Biblical Pharaoh. He accused them of living in luxury while ordinary Kenyans struggle to survive.
He condemned the ongoing trend of high taxes and government officials building lavish homes while many citizens cannot even afford basic needs like food. He reminded leaders that God sees the suffering of the people and will bring justice in due time.
He also criticized members of Parliament who recently proposed a 50% salary increase, calling it an act of greed and selfishness, especially when Kenyans are being heavily taxed. Archbishop Kivuva added that early political campaigns for the 2027 elections are already causing ethnic and religious divisions.
He said this behavior is dangerous and called on politicians to remember that they are supposed to serve the entire nation, not just their tribes or close allies.
In the spirit of Easter, the religious leaders urged Christians and all Kenyans to pray for peace, wisdom, and good leadership. They encouraged the public to remain watchful, not to be misled by false political promises, and to always use their voice and votes to support leaders who truly care about the country.
They reminded Kenyans that unity, honesty, and wise leadership are the only way forward if the nation wants to overcome its current political and economic challenges.
