DISAPPROVAL

Raila blasts ACK church leadership for being involved in politics

Claims Anglican Church implored on him to drop his election petition

In Summary
  • The opposition chief also took issue with the church for turning a blind eye to social injustices in the country.
  • He censured the clergy for allowing government-allied politicians to use church platforms to attack the Opposition as they advance their selfish interests.
Raila Odinga with Siaya Governor James Orengo at Anglican Church in Bondo, December 25.
Raila Odinga with Siaya Governor James Orengo at Anglican Church in Bondo, December 25.
Image: RAILA ODINGA

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has accused a section of church leaders of being keen to impress the government at the expense of fighting injustices in society.

He regretted that the leadership of the church had become deeply involved in politics, a matter which he said played out in the concluded elections.

Speaking at Nyamira ACK church in Bondo Siaya County on Christmas Day, Raila claimed the Anglican Church of Kenya leadership wanted the Azimio team to drop their Supreme Court petition against President William Ruto's victory.

"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 to withdraw the case in the interest of unity,” he said.

The former Prime Minister further claimed the Anglican Church asked elders from some communities to declare that those rejecting the results of the General Election would be cursed.

He reiterated that the church had failed in its mandate to act firmly against injustices in society.

With him at the service were Siaya Governor James Orengo, former area governor Cornel Rasanga, Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.

The opposition chief also took issue with the church for turning a blind eye to social injustices in the country.

Raila further blasted the clergy for allowing government-allied politicians to use church platforms to attack the Opposition as they advance their selfish interests.

β€œThe 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.

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