Kenyans on X have been having a field day after Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi sent out a congratulatory message to the new Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost which most felt was out place.
“Heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, as you begin your sacred mission. May your papacy be a beacon of humility, service, and Gospel truth. The Church stands with you! Ad multos annos!” he posted.
Heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, as you begin your sacred mission.
May your papacy be a beacon of humility, service, and Gospel truth. The Church stands with you! Ad multos annos! pic.twitter.com/Qc8Qxd4OQR
— Hon Oscar Sudi (@HonOscarSudi) May 8, 2025
Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected as the 267th yesterday, writing history as the first American to ascend to the papacy, though many also associate him with Latin America due to his extensive missionary work in Peru.
While many world leaders sent in their congratulatory message, Sudi also joined the bandwagon.
Within minutes, Kenyans descended on the post tearing into his choice of words and questioning the authenticity of the message.
Alinur Mohamed (@AlinurMohamed_) was among the first to strike, replying “Hii heartfelt congratulations iko kwa vocabulary yako pekee Mkuu.”
?????? (@PaulOkello81494) Said” This isn’t English for a person who can’t even read his oath of office,, I’m sure that you can’t pronounce the name of Pope Leo XIV.” Taking a subtle dig at his education.
Sudi’s education has been a contentious issue and in December 2024 he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by a United States-based university with satellite campuses in Kenya.
This came six months after a court in Nairobi acquitted him of charges of forgery of his academic papers, a matter that had dragged on in court for years.
Kenyans reacted and raised questions particularly after Northwestern Christian listed and introduced Sudi as an Engineer.
A couple of days later, the same university that awarded him the Degree was listed among 15 universities flagged by the Commission for University Education (CUE) for operating illegally in Kenya.
Still, many are not satisfied that Sudi can actually construct such a statement with many saying it was AI generated
Joseph Ndaru (@KariukiNdaru) posted “AI detected.” Implying that Sudi’s message sounded like it had been crafted by an AI tool, not by the MP himself