EACC chairperson Bishop David Oginde says a prayer on Wednesday morning duering the signing into law of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, and the Social Protection Bill, 2025, July 30, 2025. /SCREENGRABIn what was expected to be a routine State House ceremony marked by the usual pomp and protocol, a prayer led by EACC chairperson Bishop David Oginde on Wednesday morning stole the spotlight and sparked a national conversation.
Just before President William Ruto signed into law the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, and the Social Protection Bill, 2025, the gathering paused for a moment of reflection.
But it was no ordinary prayer. With eyes closed and hands bowed, the leaders present were served a potent sermon laced with fire-and-brimstone scripture references—and a bold warning to those who dare misuse public resources.
Quoting biblical examples of divine justice, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairperson invoked the fate of Ananias and Sapphira who were struck dead for deceit.
He followed it up with a narration about Judas Iscariot, the man who met a grim end after betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Then came the parting shot: “So as we gather here, I know there are individuals, there may be couples, there may be families who conspire to defraud our country of the limited resources that we have. As we put this law in place, I pray that as our President appends his signature on this law, that signature will be from heaven and with the force of heaven.”
It was a spiritual missile, cloaked in prayer but unmistakably aimed at corrupt officials across government.
Kenyans online described the moment as one of the most candid and daring indictments of corruption to be delivered from within the walls of power.
Some called it a “scriptural rebuke”; others said it was “a quiet revolution wrapped in heavenly language.”
Oginde did not name names, but the weight of his words settled among those present during the event.
And as President Ruto went on to sign the Conflict of Interest Bill, a piece of legislation meant to tighten the noose on state officers with private interests in public affairs, the moment felt ordained.
“We commit to you this morning as leaders you have appointed in different sectors of our government... may that which we do today bear the witness of heaven,” Oginde concluded.
The new law aims to seal loopholes that have long enabled embezzlement and abuse of office and led to the erosion of public trust in some of those bestowed with the mandate to safeguard the very resources.
Whether Oginde’s prayer becomes a moral turning point or simply a moment of spiritual theater remains to be seen.
