EDITORIAL | Bishop Onginjo was right and Luo Nyanza leaders must face reality

EDITORIAL | Bishop Onginjo was right and Luo Nyanza leaders must face reality


Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyongo when he visited Bishop, Rt. Rev. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’injo, of ACK Maseno South on April 16, 2026. PHOTO/UGC.

The ongoing attacks on Bishop, Rt. Rev. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’injo, of ACK Maseno South are less about him and more about the failure of a section of Luo Nyanza’s elected leaders to face hard truths. When he questioned their commitment to public service, these leaders resorted to personal attacks and accusations of “politicking.” The irony is stark: the bishop spoke on behalf of a silent majority whose leaders have abandoned their constitutional duties, choosing instead to play politics with the region’s future.

Across Luo Nyanza, MPs, Senators, Governors, and MCAs have traded accountability for applause. Law-making, oversight, and public engagement; the core responsibilities enshrined in the 2010 Constitution, have been replaced by partisanship and political cheerleading.

Meanwhile, citizens bear the brunt of systemic neglect. Kenya’s universities are in the doldrums, with underfunded campuses, decaying infrastructure, and plummeting academic standards. The Social Health Authority (SHA), intended to streamline healthcare, has become a bureaucratic nightmare, frustrating civil servants, private providers, and ordinary Kenyans alike. Health services that should be accessible and efficient remain inconsistent and slow.

Fuel prices offer yet another indictment. Kenyan motorists pay more than their counterparts in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and even Ethiopia, despite Kenya being the regional supplier. The government’s explanation; that Kenya’s “middle-income” status justifies higher costs, rings hollow as families struggle with the crushing burden of daily living expenses. These are not minor inconveniences; they are evidence of leadership that has lost its moral compass.

Bishop Onginjo’s message as indicated by lawyer James Aggrey Mwamu, echoes the prophetic voice of Amos (Amos 5:24): justice must flow like a river, and righteousness like an unending stream. His words call for leaders to prioritise public good over personal gain, to restore integrity, and to ensure that the marginalised and vulnerable are not left behind. Attacking him will not erase the facts: education is failing, health systems are broken, and fuel is outrageously expensive.

Luo Nyanza’s leaders must heed this wake-up call before public frustration turns into outright disillusionment. The time for excuses is over, Kenya demands accountability, not applause.