The announcement was made on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a press briefing at the Cardinal John Njue Pastoral Centre in Embu.
Archbishop of Nyeri Anthony Muheria said the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) had resolved that churches should not be turned into platforms for politicians seeking votes or promoting their political interests.
He explained that the directive would apply to all Catholic churches in the country, with priests instructed to ensure that it is followed.
Muheria maintained that places of worship should remain focused on prayer and spiritual matters rather than political campaigns.
The Archbishop also reminded political leaders that they have other platforms where they can communicate with Kenyans, present their plans and seek support.
These include public barazas, political rallies and the media.
The decision comes at a time when political activities are gaining momentum across the country as leaders position themselves ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
President Ruto and opposition leaders, including Gachagua and Kalonzo, have continued engaging Kenyans through different public events as political alliances and possible presidential contenders take shape.
The bishops also urged Kenyans to carefully examine the performance of their current leaders before making decisions about who deserves their votes in the next election.
Additionally, the Catholic Church raised concerns over proposed electoral changes, particularly plans to restrict the livestreaming of presidential vote tallies.
The bishops argued that transparency in elections is important in building public confidence and preventing unnecessary tension.
The latest directive sends a clear message to politicians that attending Catholic services does not give them an opportunity to address congregations politically.
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