KRN NEWS DESK
Brave CITAM Bishop enforced the ban on pulpit politics in Kenya forcing senator Linturi to Apologize on Friday, March 4.
Christ Is The Answer Ministry (CITAM) Bishop based in Meru county, has taken the ban on pulpit politics a notch higher after he interrupted a political speech by Senator Linturi.
Bishop Calisto Odede presided over the ceremony that brought together a host of religious and political leaders. The ceremony focused on enhancing peace, cohesion, prosperity, and development towards the forthcoming August 9 General Election.
Linturi’s sentiments that irked Bishop Odede
Though the meeting was intended to bring together politicians from all political formations, Senator Linturi used the podium to castigate his political opponents.
In what seemed to be directed to the ODM leader, Raila Odinga, senator Mithika Linturi stated that people have been fighting because there are politicians who do not accept election results.
“People have been fighting because there is an individual who does not accept results once they are announced by the IEBC,” Linturi stated.
Bishop Odede’s response
The sentiments attracted Bishop Odede’s attention who swiftly rose to his feet to make it clear and remind the senator of the agenda of the meeting. Bishop Odede asked senator Linturi to respect the church’s decision to ban pulpit politics.
However, Odede also stated that the church was ministering to people from different political parties and it was wrong to start attacking others
“Thank you very senator. As I mentioned a little earlier, as a church, we try to minister to people from different political parties without creating any sense of animosity. In a function like this, which in our church, we try to maintain that attitude that everything else comes, whether you are UDA, ODM, or Jubilee, you are welcomed here. You need to feel comfortable here that no one is alienating you and no one is saying some things negatively. Mheshimiwa, I don’t whether we need to let you go on,” the bishop stated.
Linturi’s apology
At this point, the Bishop asked senator Linturi whether he wanted to continue with his speech, Linturi chose to apologize before continuing with his speech, he stated that politics can sometimes be emotional to the church.
“Sorry. I’m sorry. These things can sometimes be emotional and apologize profusely to the church. I am sorry. I am really sorry bishop if I have gone beyond,” Linturi apologized
Why the Church banned pulpit politics
There has been an uproar about church and politics in Kenya. Many politicians including the 2022 presidential aspirant Raila Odinga have questioned churches’ sincerity when it comes to cash donations.
Towards the elections the politicians tend to use the church to show their generosity, they arrive in flash cars, smartly dressed and often accompanied by their cameramen ready to tell the world the amount they’re contributing.
Most of these huge donations are meant to look like they are really concerned with building and supporting the church. Interestingly, instead of donating and taking their seats like other congregants, these “generous” politicians are given a chance to deliver a message to the congregation.
Hilariously, they use the podium to advance their own agendas, mostly away from the church teachings. For instance, they tell the congregation why they should not support the other candidates. In fact, they will make it look like they are so righteous as compared to the other politicians.
After realizing that the church was dividing Kenyans rather than uniting them, leaders of established churches came together and agreed to ban politicians from taking the pulpit to advance their own campaigns.
In fact, they urged the politicians to attend the church and listen to sermons just like the other congregants.
Additionally, the churches agreed not to announce or disclose the amount donated by the political class towards church projects.
Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria told BBC that the priests were to be blamed for allowing the politicians to use the pulpit without censure.
“Partly priests are to blame for the capture of the church by politicians. There was the need to return the practice into its purity,” He explained to BBC.
On his part, the head of the Anglican Church in Kenya, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, agreed that the church had allowed politicians to misuse the church for so long.
“I own it 100%. But we can’t remain in the same mistake for long. A moment of repentance and a turnaround is needed,” he stated.
President Uhuru’s take
President Uhuru Kenyetta also joined the debate on the ban of pulpit politics. He warned leaders who celebrated the money donated by the politicians without knowing the source of the money. He accused them of being the beneficiaries of the stolen money.
Speaking during the Mt Kenya delegates meeting held at Sagana state lodge, the president openly attacked politicians allied to the Deputy president saying that they were wooing the church with money stolen from Arror and Kimwarer dam project.
“Even church leaders should stop telling lies to our people. Let’s tell the truth, you are being given 3 billion meant for Kimwarer and Arror dams meant for the children of God, then you come to mislead us,” Uhuru said.
