NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 16 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja were prohibited from addressing the Christian faithful during the consecration of Ven Canon Jonathan Kabiru as the Bishop of the ACK Nairobi Diocese at St. Stephen’s Cathedral along Jogoo Road.
The restriction followed an announcement by ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who declared that political leaders would no longer be permitted to speak in any recognized Anglican church.
“From today onward, in any Anglican congregation—and I thank God all my Bishops are here—no political leader will be given an opportunity to speak in the Church. We will only mention their names, and they will wave,” the Archbishop said.
Sapit further explained, “If they wish to address the congregation, it will be done outside the sanctuary. This policy will apply not only today but in all our dioceses and churches.”
Additionally, the Archbishop announced a ban on publicly declaring the gifts or offerings made to the church.
“We have already made this declaration and want to reaffirm it today: giving in the Anglican Church will not be publicly announced. Just give as God directs you to give. What we give to God does not require us to tell others what we have given,” Sapit stated.
Some church leaders have found themselves in difficult situations after receiving large donations from political figures like President William Ruto, only to be instructed by senior church officials to return the funds.
Last week, police had to use tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to occupy the Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Roysambu over a 20 million shilling donation from President Ruto. The protesters were reacting to public anger towards the political elite’s display of wealth amid the country’s economic challenges.