- The Bishops accused Ruto of disrespecting the President.
- Urged religious organisations to come out boldly and support the Azimio candidate.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/TWITTER
Azimio Presidential hopeful Raila Odinga on Friday received a boost after a section of clergy backed his presidential bid.
The clergy led by Bishop Dr Elizabeth Thuiya said the ODM leader is more experienced and sober to lead the country compared to the other three presidential hopefuls in the State House race.
Apart from Raila and Deputy President William Ruto, the State House race has attracted other two candidates - George Wajackhoyah (Roots Party) and David Mwaure (Agano)
Thuiya urged her religious colleagues to boldly come out and give direction to the flock at this time the country is facing a high-stakes General Election.
The church, she noted, cannot lag behind in giving direction on an important national issue like the leadership of a country.
The House of Clergy Association chair also called on Kenyans to elect God-fearing leaders during the next month’s polls adding that the next government should consider introducing a pension scheme for the clergy.
“We call upon all members of the clergy to come out in full support of Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua during next month’s elections,” Thuiya said.
She added: “Vote in leaders who will bring God-fearing leadership to our country. We recognize the role the church has played over the years in preaching peace, unity and stability in the country”.
The clergy were speaking in Nairobi after a consultative meeting.
Thuiya also took on Ruto over what she termed an unnecessary insult to his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM boss.
She said the public spat is not only a show of disrespect to the President but a concern to Kenyans especially when the country is facing polls.
Thuiya was reacting to recent claims by Ruto that he almost slapped Uhuru after the apex Court annulled the 2017 presidential election results.
“To the President, on behalf of the clergy and Kenyans, we want to ask for forgiveness because of the insults that have been directed towards the first family and especially the President,” she said.
The leaders also welcomed the recent government move to lift the embargo and open space to formalize the worship associations and registration through regulations.
“Prior to this, there was no accountability to church activities across the nation. The regulation is a welcome reprieve to churches,” she said.