Raila Goes After Church Over August Elections Loss

Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga has launched a scathing attack on the church over its role in the August 9 general elections.

Addressing the congregation at Nyamira Anglican Church at Kang’o Kajaramogi in Bondo on Sunday, December 25, Raila accused the church of failing to speak out against political injustices.

He especially cited the chaos on Monday, August 15 at the Bomas of Kenya National Tallying Centre when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati announced the presidential results, accusing the church of sanitising an election process which he claimed was rigged.

"We saw the church standing in front of the cameras trying to sanitise a very flawed process. We have seen some churches being turned into platforms for political agitations and campaigns.

Raila Odinga at St. Peters Parish in Nyamira on December 25, 2022. /FACEBOOK.RAILA ODINGA

"On Sundays, political leadership going to churches supposedly to pray, once the service is over they take over the church platform to vilify and insult some Kenyans and we have seen clergy sitting behind and cheering,” he said.

He went after President William Ruto's government for using church services to respond to verbal attacks on them by the opposition while keeping them in check.

“We never go to church to play politics. The top leadership of this country has taken to church platforms to shout at us, telling us the government has done this and that. 

"The government programmes are implemented in government offices or political platforms and not in the churches,” he added.

He singled out the Anglican Church of Kenya for being involved in political agitation, faulting them for pressuring the Azimio coalition to withdraw their presidential petition which was eventually thrown away by the Supreme Court.

“We were saddened to see the leadership of the Anglican Church getting involved in the political agitation, asking politicians particularly those from Azimio who had petitioned the outcome of the election because of rigging that they must withdraw the petition in the interest of unity and went ahead to put pressure on the elders from some communities to say that if those who had rejected the results don't withdraw the challenge, they will be cursed," he added.

While assuring that he was not giving blanket criticism against the church, he called for the church to be the conscience of society and to act firmly against injustices, citing instances of church leaders associating themselves with injustices of Kenya.

The ODM leader told his supporters that he will give directions on the next move his coalition will make in January 2023.

On the same day, President Ruto responded to Raila grading his first 100 days of office at 4/10, saying that he is happy that the opposition is on its toes and that they are rightfully discharging their duty of checking and balancing the government.

"I see they are trying to correct us and that is okay, they have given us marks, that is fine and that is the way to go. My joy is that we have an opposition which is working for Kenyans and I assure them that we are ready to work so that the nation moves forward," he said during an interdenominational Christmas service in Uasin Gishu County.

He further explained why his promises have seemingly slowed down since taking office, noting that he opted to first tackle the ailing economy so that he can build the nation from an independent economic foundation.

He urged the opposition to stop rushing the government with their pestering attacks and wait for the economy to stabilise.

President William Ruto during an interdenominational Christmas service in Uasin Gishu County on December 25, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO