President William Ruto on Saturday January, 21 promised to take care of former Kitale’s Catholic Diocese Bishop Anthony Maurice Kitale.
During the ordination ceremony of Fr. Henry Juma Odonya as the new Bishop of Kitale Catholic Diocese, President William Ruto said that retired Bishop Crowley reprimanded and advised him on a number of occasions.
Ruto who was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musailia Mudavadi acknowledged the role Bishop Crowley played in his political life, especially, his advice and endorsements during the 2022 election.
“We will not allow you (Bishop Crowley) to go and retire in a place of minus nineteen-degree Celsius.
“You are going to stay here with us, and I would like to request the Church to allow us to have Bishop Crowley stay with us in his retirement,” Ruto said.
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The President also noted that Bishop Crowley is a great advisor whose role in society is still needed and will be used to help the country.
In his remarks, the Head of State recalled how Bishop Crowley endorsed him during the August 2022 General Election.
“With somebody of the stature of Crowley, what did you expect?” Ruto asked in relation to the Bishop helping him win the elections. Ruto also added that the Bishop has been a father figure to many politicians in the country.
The President further revealed that the timely mobile phone text messages which he received from Kitale’s outgoing Bishop Crowley spurred him in his quest to be Kenya’s fifth president.
Ruto told the Catholic faithful while in Kitale that Bishop Crowley was thorough and disciplined in his responsibility to disciple Church members, including himself.
“You are stepping into the shoes of a great man. Crowley is a giant of the faith. I cherish the many moments when I said the not-so-correct things and I always found a message on my phone from you,” Ruto told the congregants.
Bishop Crowley’s pieces of advice to President Ruto was both direct and stunning at a time when the country was seriously tense.
“I value the many moments that when was low, I found a message on my phone and you encouraged me.
“I value the many times you put a call to me, and you always referred to me as William. Now that you are not a Bishop, I will ask you why you never referred to me as honorable but William,” the president expressed on a light note.
