By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 13 ,2026 - President William Ruto's administration has come under pressure from religious leaders following the violent disruption of a public forum at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, with faith leaders warning that the growing use of violence and intimidation against citizens threatens the country's democratic foundations.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) on Saturday condemned the attack on participants attending a post-Budget Forum at the cathedral, describing the incident as a dangerous assault on constitutional freedoms and public participation.
In a strongly worded statement, the council accused perpetrators of attempting to silence legitimate public discourse through fear and violence, and challenged the government to demonstrate its commitment to democracy by bringing those responsible to justice.
"We view the use of violence and intimidation to silence public discourse as a grave affront to democracy and the constitutional rights enshrined in our nation's laws," said IRCK Executive Director Linus Nthiga.
The Friday forum had brought together citizens, civil society organisations, faith leaders and private sector actors to discuss the 2026/2027 national budget and its implications on ordinary Kenyans.
According to the council, the meeting was a peaceful, multi-stakeholder engagement aimed at promoting constructive dialogue on national issues before it was violently disrupted.
The religious leaders expressed concern that the attack reflects an emerging pattern in which criminal gangs are increasingly being deployed to interfere with lawful civic activities.
"This incident is not isolated. The increasing reliance on goons to disrupt lawful civic engagements and instill fear in citizens undermines the very foundations of our democracy and national security," the statement said.
The remarks amount to one of the strongest rebukes yet from the country's religious leadership amid mounting concerns over attacks on public participation forums and civic gatherings.
More from Kenya
The council warned that failure by the government to protect peaceful assemblies could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken constitutional safeguards that guarantee freedom of expression and association.
"We therefore call upon the Government and security agencies to uphold the rule of law, protect peaceful assemblies, and ensure those responsible for this heinous attack are brought to justice," Nthiga said.
The statement places the spotlight squarely on President Ruto's administration, which has repeatedly pledged to uphold constitutional freedoms, accountability and the rule of law.
Religious leaders said the government must act decisively against those behind the attack regardless of their political affiliations, warning that impunity could embolden further acts of violence against citizens seeking to engage in national affairs.
The council further urged faith communities across the country not to retreat from their role as defenders of justice and democratic accountability despite growing intimidation.
"We call upon the faith communities to continue standing as beacons of peace, justice, and moral courage in our nation," the statement added.
The attack has sparked fresh debate about the shrinking civic space in the country and raised questions about the safety of citizens attending public forums on governance and economic issues.
As pressure mounts on authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible, the religious leaders maintained that no amount of threats or thuggery should deter Kenyans from exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens.