Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit Bars Gachagua from Addressing Church Congregation
Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit prohibited Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other political leaders from delivering speeches inside Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) churches on Sunday, March 16.
Gachagua, along with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, attended a service in Makadara for the installation of Bishop Canon Jonathan Kabiru.
Despite anticipation for political addresses, Archbishop Ole Sapit declared that politicians would not be allowed to speak inside any ACK church from that day forward.
“I want to give directions that from today henceforth, In any Anglican congregation, there will be no opportunity for any political leader to have a speech in the church,” he stated.
He clarified that politicians could be acknowledged by name and wave to the congregation, but speeches would only be permitted outside the church buildings.
“We will mention their names, they will wave their hands if they so wish to speak to the congregants, it will be done outside of the sanctuary not only today but in all our dioceses and churches,” he added.
Furthermore, he announced that donations made within ACK churches would no longer be publicly announced; contributors would merely wave to the congregation.
“We have already declared and we want to declare today that giving in the Anglican Church will not be announced. Just give as God directs you to give,” he added.
Following the Archbishop’s instructions, politicians were unable to give speeches, and their donations were accepted without public acknowledgment of the amounts.
The political figures present were only briefly acknowledged by Ole Sapit, who mentioned their names, prompting them to stand and wave.
This ban comes during a period of political friction between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition and opposition figures, much of which has arisen from statements made during church services.
Recently, Gachagua alleged that Ruto had sold the Bomas of Kenya to a Turkish businessman, claims that the government has refuted.
President Ruto’s own actions in churches, including large donations and disregard for criticism, have also faced scrutiny.
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Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit Bars Gachagua from Addressing Church Congregation
