How clergy can avoid 'egg in the face' in 2025

President William Ruto, AIPCA Nyandarua North Diocese Bishop David Kibui (centre) and Leshau West Parish Reverend Joseph Maina during a church service at Ndogino, Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County on July 14, 2024. [PCS]

A recent sermon at Pefa Donholm Church in Nairobi was, by all means, a godsend as it came handy in the last days of this year. You could hear a pin drop as Pastor Betty Habwe told many home-truths.

Some sermons go with the wind but others speak boldly to the soul. “Forgive us. We had good intentions when we showed you the way in 2022. All we wanted was the country to be in safe hands,” she said.

Before anyone could swallow saliva, the pastor added: “Now that we are where we are, please forgive us. After all, whatever understanding or marriage we had during the polls ends in 2027.”

Pastor Habwe’s apology over the religious community’s involvement in politics was as powerful as it was humbling. Many clerics were overly involved in the last polls, and are now undergoing deep introspection. They’re repentant. In life, you either host God or remain hostage to your ego.

Many will recall how religious leaders, including bishops and emeritus titleholders, became ‘flower girls’ at manifesto launches. That time, the stakes were high.

The line between spiritual leadership and political allegiance blurred badly. Then after the polls came the Shakahola tragedy that shook the religious community to the hilt.

Even as the clergy visited State House and prayed for rain, the damage was done, with Gen-Z protests only adding a twist.

What followed later in 2024 were defensive actions by clerics such as gagging congregants, turning away donations from politicians, and accusing the State of lying. Was this a case of sour grapes?

Reflecting on Pastor Habwe’s words, I concluded that 2025 should be the year of a bountiful harvest for the clergy. The church must work hard to reclaim its prophetic voice. That way, they will reap back trust and credibility. But first, let the church bring back the days of Henry Okullu, Alexander Muge, David Gitari and Nding’i Nzeki, who prioritised selflessness over personal gain.

Second, the Church-State relationship must not be sycophantic. While the two should focus on public good, religious opportunism must end with 2024.

Going forward, the church should be an independent moral authority, not a political pawn. Let them navigate the complexities of politics while helping faithful make informed decisions based on their faith, values and understanding of social issues.

Finally, let 2025 bring a sober debate on religious accountability. There is no reason for the church to resist State regulation if it operates within the scriptures and the Constitution.

The proposals by Rev Mutava Musyimi’s task force, formed after the Shakahola deaths, revealed glaring gaps in the regulatory framework governing religious institutions. The Societies Act is another lame duck.

We’ve a new chance to consider establishing a Religious Affairs Commission that can reform churches more strategically. The Draft Religious Organisations Bill and the Draft Religious Organisations Policy proposed by Rev Mutava and his team must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

While political interests supersede everything else, it’s critical that we depoliticise religion in the New Year. Politicians who exploit churches for personal gain and religious leaders who use their influence to mint money from elites must be called out.

As Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador once said, when the church hears the cries of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social and political structures that perpetuate misery.

In 2025, let the church rise to protect its flock, act as a true moral compass, and inspire transformation.

Since it’s politics that made clergy lose credibility, the religious community at large must be careful as we head to the next General Election in 2027.

In Matthew 5:29–30, the scripture says if it’s your right hand that causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Have a blessed Happy New Year.

-The writer is a communications practitioner.