Former Kenyan Ambassador to Zambia Sophie Ngade has urged the clergy to be extra vigilant on who they endorse for political positions.
Ngade said the 2022 elections need to produce God-fearing leaders, who will put the interest of Kenyans first.
She said without God’s grace, no leader will help the country develop and urged the clergy to support leaders with integrity.
“Leaders are appointed by God. A good leader puts God first. We have joined hands with the clergy so that the journey we start today will be a blessed one,” Ngade said at her Mtomondaoni residence in Mtwapa on Saturday.
She has declared interest in the Kilifi South MP seat seeking to oust Ken Chonga.
“We must move away from the politics of violence because that era is gone. That is why I insist that leaders elected must be God-fearing. God-fearing leaders will not promote violence, which hurts women and children most,” Ngade, the wife of Reverend Anthony Ngade, said.
The clergy in Kilifi county, who gathered at her residence for a prayer breakfast, vowed to thoroughly vet leaders who seek their blessings before they support them.
Reverend Zablon Muchoi said they will engage in fasting and prayer for the 2022 general election, which he declared will be peaceful.
“Through prayers, we will ensure there are peaceful elections,” Muchoi said.
He said the voice of the church must be heard and that the interests of Kilifi South residents must be the number one agenda for any politician seeking office.
“That is why we ask God to give us leaders who will put the people first and not their stomachs,” Muchoi said.
The clergy said they have rejected violence because of political vitriol.
Reverend Josephine Osodo said political parties and factions do not matter much in 2022.
“The most important thing is that we live in harmony. Negative people are predicting bad things for Kenya. But as the clergy, let us predict good things for the country,” Rev Osodo said.
Bishop David Ruwa, the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Kenya Coast branch director, said the 2022 elections must be free and fair.
“This time we cannot stay silent, especially here in Kilifi South.”
He said Kilifi South should get a leader who will care about the welfare of the children who have for long been suffering from early pregnancies, defilement and poverty.
Reverend Ngade said the church wants to get some rest, which he said comes from God.
He said all leaders should ensure their happiness transmits to the people they serve.
“If my happiness does not transmit to another person then there will be no rest. Our prayer is that the happiness of one Kenyan should be the happiness of another,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
