LIMURU, Kenya – Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has criticized government-led economic empowerment initiatives, dismissing them as politically motivated and ineffective in lifting Kenyans out of poverty.
Speaking at Limuru Girls High School on Friday, Ole Sapit said millions of shillings earmarked for “token projects” in sub-counties would be better spent on education, health, and agriculture — sectors he described as cornerstones of national development.
“Handouts will never change anybody’s life,” the archbishop said. “They will get it and finish it in the evening with the liquors and other bad habits. When you teach people how to work and ensure we have markets for our crops, that is empowerment.”
He called on both the government and the opposition to cut back on frequent political rallies — locally known as barazas — and instead redirect funds toward school capitation and university funding.
“Our principals are crying because the capitation is not enough. They cannot keep our students as long as we wish them to be in school,” he said, highlighting the financial strain on public institutions under the current funding model.
Ole Sapit also lamented the state of infrastructure in rural areas, saying poor road networks continue to undermine Kenya’s agricultural productivity.
“We want the agriculture sector to work — and that means the government must put in infrastructure so that every farmer can take their produce to market in time,” he said.
His remarks come amid mounting concerns over delayed disbursements to public schools, and following a national budget proposal that includes major cuts to the agriculture sector.
Beyond economic grievances, the archbishop condemned the recent rise in political violence across the country.
While he did not mention specific parties, he warned that inflammatory rhetoric and intolerance were threatening Kenya’s democratic space.
“We must protect our democratic institutions and ensure our politics remains peaceful. Violence has no place in a nation that wants to move forward,” he said.
Ole Sapit has been one of the few religious leaders willing to openly challenge the political establishment.
