Shakahola Is A Small Issue- Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, May 12 claimed that the government was only interested in cracking down on rogue religious groups and not disrupting the operation of churches in an operation targeting cultic religious groups in the country.

Speaking during the memorial service of John Njoroge Ndung'u, father of Juja MP George Koimburi at Matangi-Kimbo in Kiambu County, DP Gachagua argued that the church was a crucial pillar in the society, adding that the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County was a small issue that should not be taken as an activity that happens in all religious institutions.

This is despite the latest statistics revealing that the death toll rose to 179 after 29 more bodies were exhumed, according to Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, who noted that no rescues were made. 15 people were reported missing, bringing the total to 609.

DCI forensics team at Shakahola forest on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. /FACEBOOK.KITHURE KINDIKI

"The things witnessed in Kilifi are not about the Church but about individuals. The Church of Christ has many enemies because the devil is always at work day and night. They would want to use that small issue to give the Church of Christ a bad name," said the DP.

"We are saying, let it be about individuals. Those two or three people among 10,000 people hiding in the Church to do the wrong things should be isolated from the Church so that the Church can prosper."

The DP noted that the constitution under Article 32 guarantees religious freedom including the freedom to practice any religion or belief and as such, the government is not on a mission to interfere with the liberty.

Gachagua however affirmed that rogue clerics must and will be weeded out from the public to protect innocent Kenyans from being exploited and brainwashed, praising his boss, President William Ruto, for forming a task force that aims to help streamline the registration and records of the religious organizations.

"Nobody is fighting the Church at all but there are two or three people amongst thousands of preachers, who are using the Church to drive criminal activities.

"Even in the government, health and the media there are rogue people. The rogue elements in the church will be dealt with individually," said Gachagua.

The DP argued that many of Kenya's pastors had good intentions but stated that the government would not allow a few criminals and extremists who hide behind religion to torment congregants.

“We are not going to punish the church because of an individual's behaviour, those who mislead the faithful must be isolated and take responsibility as individuals. The majority of our pastors are good people, and 99.9 per cent of them are good.

"Allow the government to weed out the 0.1 per cent that is giving the Church of Christ a bad name," he stated, adding that he and President Ruto would uphold the rule of law that guarantees the freedom of worship.