Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and political allies were prohibited from speaking at an Anglican Church service on March 16. ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit announced a ban on political addresses in church to maintain sanctity, limiting political interaction to outside the premises. This move comes amid rising political tensions and controversies related to comments made during church services, including Gachagua’s recent claims about President Ruto.
On March 16, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other political figures were barred from speaking at an Anglican Church event. They attended a service at the ACK Church in Makadara for the consecration of Bishop Canon Jonathan Kabiru. The event was attended by both supporters and opponents of the Kenya Kwanza government, generating expectations regarding political discourse that were addressed by ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit.
Archbishop Ole Sapit directed that no political leader would be allowed to deliver speeches within Anglican congregations. “I want to give directions that from today henceforth, in any Anglican congregation, there will be no opportunity for any political leader to have a speech in the church,” he proclaimed. This directive emphasized that political addresses would not be tolerated in the church’s sanctuaries.
Moving forward, the Archbishop stated that politicians would only be permitted to engage with congregants outside the sanctuary. “We will mention their names, they will wave their hands if they so wish to speak to the congregants,” he elaborated. Donations made by politicians would also not be publicly acknowledged, with donors merely asked to wave to the congregation.
In alignment with these restrictions, the event saw politicians’ donations received discreetly, with no announcement of their amounts. Political dignitaries were minimally acknowledged, as they were only asked to stand and wave when their names were briefly mentioned.
This ban was imposed amidst ongoing political tensions involving President William Ruto’s allies and adversaries, much of which has been fueled by remarks made during church services. Gachagua recently made controversial claims during a church service, alleging that Ruto had sold the Bomas of Kenya to a foreign businessman, a statement that the government has refuted. Additionally, President Ruto’s notable donations in church settings have attracted scrutiny and criticism from his detractors.
In conclusion, the Anglican Church has instituted a ban on political speeches within its services, aiming to maintain the sanctity of worship. This development, prompted by escalating political tensions, restricts politicians from addressing congregants directly in church. The church’s stance reflects an effort to separate religious activities from political discourse, while also addressing the contentious nature of recent political statements made during services.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
