DP Ruto and the evangelicals: A look at UDA's strategy to bag church vote

Deputy President William Ruto at the African Church of the Holy Spirit in Malava, Kakamega, on September 18, 2021. [File, Standard]

The UDA presidential candidate William Ruto, and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua expect to reap maximum votes from church adherents who they have been courting.

From signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pentecostal and Evangelical churches alliance, to promising a Cabinet docket for church affairs, Dr Ruto has always presented himself as an ardent, philanthropic and strict Christian.

The Deputy President had even installed huge tents at his official residence, where church services would precede any large gathering, with him appearing at the "pulpit" to make a speech with signature quotes of Bible verses.

Dr Ruto and his family worship at Faith Evangelistic Ministry, while Mr Gachagua and his go to House of Grace.

Ruto has received backing from two main church associations, whose leaderships have openly endorsed his Presidential ambitions saying he remains the only President (if elected) who will promote and protect the church interests.

Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical churches (APEC) and the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) through their leaders Daniel Kabono and Bishop Samuel Njiriri said they had decided to shun the periphery by getting actively involved in charting the destiny of the country.

In May, FEICCK brought together 17 bishops from different church denominations, who threw their weight behind Dr Ruto saying his track record and being a friend of the church had proved he was one among equals.

The bishops said their decision was based on Ruto’s development track record. "We shall go to our churches and persuade our people to elect Ruto as the fifth president," Bishop Njiriri, the federation's chairperson said.

Earlier this month, more than 2,000 members of the Nakuru Pastors' Forum endorsed the DP's presidential bid citing faith and track record.

The Alex Maina-led forum, while presenting Dr Ruto as a God fearing man, said: "We are clear about the choice of our presidential candidate."

Mr Kabono said political circumstances and situations in the country that threatened the "closure of small churches" provoked them to make a firm decision and guide their flock on who to choose as Kenya's next president.

In an interview with The Standard, Kabono said the remarks by Ida Odinga, proposing regulation of mushrooming of small churches, proved a danger to their existence.

Mrs Odinga, the wife of Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga, later apologised and withdrew the remarks, but Kabono said she spoke her mind and only apologised after realising the political ramifications. He said to be safer, they supported Dr Ruto, albeit with a written agreement.

“He has been a friend of the church and has assisted in growth of Christian institutions, assisted in translation of the Bible to many vernacular languages. His heart is clearly for the church.

“We also have anti church policies in schools such as removing the Christian Religious Education in the name of protecting the minorities, whereas the country is 85 per cent Christians," said Kabono.

According to the prelate, some of the agreement contained in the MOU between his Association and the DP's were creation of the Church Ministry, vacating the 2014 moratorium against registration of the church.

“Homosexuals and atheist groups have continued to register in Kenya, but the church registration was put on hold. We have a written commitment with Ruto and the moratorium will be removed,” said Kabono.

The MoU apparently signed by the DP and himself is expected to see the would be Ruto’s government establish Registrar of Christian Affairs, establishment of church courts that will deal with wrangles and internal affairs of the church, and appointment of clergy in national and county governments.

"If we had our own when the churches were closed down during the Covid-19, they would have advised government that it was unbiblical,” said Kabono.

Should Ruto be elected on August 9, the clergy also expect to get a national pastors’ Sacco.

While reacting to difference of opinion by some clerics, who feel the church should be neutral and should not purport to guide or dictate to their flock on who to vote, Kabono said: “Praying for the country and exercising neutrality is necessary for the church, but it is not the only role. We also have advocacy roles. If you see a sword coming against your people, you can’t remain silent; blow a trumpet and save your people."

However, Gibson Mwangi, the Murang'a District PEFA Bishop, said the church must remain neutral because they play the roles of mediation should rifts emerge in government. “Our flock is also divided. If we dictate to them to vote for a certain leader, we will be offending them. We urge them to vote wisely, but not for a particular person because our favourite candidate may lose and we have a duty to pray for whoever is elected president,” said Mwangi.

But Jesus Winner Bishop for Karatina John Munge defended their move to openly declare their stand, saying they have a right to guide Christians to make sober and informed decisions, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

He called on other religious institutions to seek discernment and communicate the same to their faithful. "As we call for tolerance and peace during the electioneering period, it is our right and responsibility to interpret to our members who God wants to lead this country. It will not divide the members but open their eyes," said Reverend Munge.

He said they would continue to evaluate each candidate's manifesto and criticise the ones that may hurt the moral fabric. Munge also urged voters to reject Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoya.

"It is against Christianity to advocate smoking and legalisation of marijuana. Those calling for such should not only be rejected at the ballot but also face the law," he said.

Constitution lawyer Bobby Mkangi has however faulted the MoU between Ruto and the Pentecostal churches, saying the constitution is clear that the country is a secular state and tax payers money may not be used to foot the bills benefiting only a particular religion.

In a phone interview with The Standard, Mkangi said even a constitutional amendment bill and a legislation proposal could be met with resistance from the church itself and other institutions.

"Such an MoU is so particular to a Pentecostal and Evangelical church and even leaves behind other denominations and there would opposition from the church itself. For there to be satisfaction such a proposal can only qualify for an overall enjoyment to other religions and to be inclusive to other denominations like the main churches," said the constitutional lawyer.

Mkangi said the idea of establishment of church courts equivalent to Kadhis courts is neither here nor there as the agitation of Kadhi courts has a history dating back to 1963.

Jackson Kiroko, a lawyer, also took issue with the MOU saying the State can't bend itself towards a certain religion and use tax payers money for the same.

"To me its illegal and a flat lie, what about other religions like Muslim, Hindu among others?" He posed.