By Anderson Ojwang
The Church in Kenya is on the spot over what can be termed as the brown envelope capture by the political class to articulate their agenda.
For decades, the political class have exploited the power of brown envelope donations to the Church, using the pulpit to propagate their agenda.
But some churches, such as the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church of Kenya, have stood their ground by either politely returning the donations or banning politicians from the pulpit.
With 18 months to the general elections, the Church has once again become a soft political landing for both the opposition and the government.
The political class begin their functions by attending church services before proceeding to rallies, and this has compromised the Church’s stand on some of the issues affecting the country.
Former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju, on Friday at a funeral in Mt Kenya, said the Church has fallen victim to political manipulation through brown envelope donations.
“I want to request you that the problem of this country begins with the church. Sisi uko ndiyo sisi upeleka harambe tukianza (it is where we fundraise to begin our programmes). All these politicians, if you ask them, where can we meet people? They say church.
We normally go to church to give money and then you can take us this direction and that direction. I challenge you to talk to other bishops wherever they are, because I thought it is the same Jesus Christ we are following,” he said.
Tuju challenged the Church to rise above political manipulation and help in healing the nation.
“As church leaders, I would like to challenge you, please talk to other church leaders across the country on how we can heal this land,” he said.
Tuju said he was a victim of the 2007 post-election violence for supporting President Mwai Kibaki and witnessed far-reaching consequences.
“I can say that with authority because I was a victim of post-election violence in 2007. I was the only person in my region who was supporting President Mwai Kibaki, and they went and attacked my cousin, and until today he has no arm. He is a high school headmaster and he does not have an arm just because he was associated with PNU at that time and associated with me as Raphael Tuju.
I never talk about these things. From 2007 to 2018, my late mother could not go to the market because she was a mother to a betrayer who supported Kibaki when everybody else was following Raila Odinga.
It was only in 2018 that my mother was able to go to the market because Raila had a handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta.
What I am telling you is that if this country descends into chaos, nobody is safe,” he said.
Two ACK bishops, Rev Charles Onginjo and Prof David Kodia, termed the situation as unfortunate and worrying.
“The Church aligns itself to what is popular. A mistake made in one corner should not be used as a blanket to condemn the Church wholly. The Catholic Church has rejected political donations, while the Anglican Church has banned politics in the Church,” Bishop Onginjo said.
He said the Church is vulnerable because most churches depend on fundraising drives to survive, and this is a weakness the political class are exploiting.
Bishop Onginjo said that before the advent of multipartyism, the Church was the sole voice, but with multipartyism the space has been occupied by other players.
“The situation and circumstances have changed and put us in the position we are in currently. Politicians are using the Church wrongly. We must inject hygiene into our politics. What are we showing the younger generation? Some are losing faith in the Church,” he said.
Prof Kodia said the Church cannot isolate itself from politicians because politicians find their roots in the Church.
“My position is that when you are given an opportunity to greet people, it is not an opportunity to engage in politics,” he said.
Prof Kodia condemned the brown envelope fixation in the Church, which negates its actual calling and service.
“Do not receive such donations. I turned down Sh3 million, which was to be put into our account in the last general election. Money should not be used to silence the Church,” he said.
He said it was unfortunate that some church leaders take brown envelopes without disclosing them to the congregation and use the money for personal gain.
“Some church leaders take the envelope and do not disclose it to the Church and keep it for themselves. Love for money is a big problem. For some, the Church is a source and conduit for enrichment,” he said.
They said the Church must stand up to unite the country and discard the lust for brown envelopes.
