NYERI, Kenya — Nyeri Diocese Archbishop Anthony Muheria has delivered a strong rebuke to the government, accusing it of being disconnected from the daily struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans.
The archbishop spoke out during a mass for the canonization of Father Joseph Aramano in Nyeri, expressing frustration with policies that he says disregard the needs of the most vulnerable.
Archbishop Muheria criticized leaders for prioritizing their image and political ambitions over the welfare of citizens, particularly those living in poverty.
“We are competing in showing power; our leaders are thinking way too much about their image and their future and not thinking about the image of the poor,” Muheria said, in a pointed message that underscored his concerns about the current leadership’s approach.
In particular, Muheria condemned the recent shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), overseen by the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the archbishop, the restructuring has left many Kenyans struggling to access essential healthcare services, putting lives at risk.
“With the shift of NHIF to SHIF, we don’t seem to have had that thought of the sick, people who die because they can’t get services,” he remarked.
Muheria urged government leaders to incorporate empathy and humility in policy-making, stressing the importance of considering the real-life impact of these policies on ordinary Kenyans.
“We must learn humility, especially in leadership,” he added, calling for a shift in governance that places compassion and service to the people above political gain.
The archbishop spoke out during a mass for the canonization of Father Joseph Aramano in Nyeri, expressing frustration with policies that he says disregard the needs of the most vulnerable.
Archbishop Muheria criticized leaders for prioritizing their image and political ambitions over the welfare of citizens, particularly those living in poverty.
“We are competing in showing power; our leaders are thinking way too much about their image and their future and not thinking about the image of the poor,” Muheria said, in a pointed message that underscored his concerns about the current leadership’s approach.
In particular, Muheria condemned the recent shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), overseen by the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the archbishop, the restructuring has left many Kenyans struggling to access essential healthcare services, putting lives at risk.
“With the shift of NHIF to SHIF, we don’t seem to have had that thought of the sick, people who die because they can’t get services,” he remarked.
Muheria urged government leaders to incorporate empathy and humility in policy-making, stressing the importance of considering the real-life impact of these policies on ordinary Kenyans.
“We must learn humility, especially in leadership,” he added, calling for a shift in governance that places compassion and service to the people above political gain.
