Lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi has sharply criticized the Kenyan government’s response to the recent criticism by the Catholic Bishops. The bishops, through the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), had issued a strong statement condemning the Kenya Kwanza administration for alleged inefficiencies and corruption.
In response to this criticism, government officials—ranging from Cabinet members to Principal Secretaries—quickly issued rebuttals, creating a highly charged public debate. This prompted Ahmednassir to voice his dissatisfaction with the government’s approach, calling it an “own goal.”
He argued that the government’s aggressive reaction only amplified the bishops’ critique rather than diffusing it. In his view, the government had two options: either acknowledge the validity of the bishops’ concerns and self-correct or simply ignore the criticism and focus on governance. Instead, the belligerent response was counterproductive, according to Ahmednassir.
The lawyer urged the government to take a more introspective approach rather than engaging in combative exchanges that could damage its public image further. This criticism comes at a time when the bishops’ remarks are seen as unusually blunt, with accusations of graft and inefficiency directed at key government sectors.
Overall, Ahmednassir’s comments reflect a broader debate over how governments should handle public criticism, especially when it comes from influential institutions like the church.
