Is the Kenyan Church Taking the Oppressors’ Side? Observations from Recent Protests
At the height of the recent #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, a surprising player found itself in the spotlight: The Church.
Many young Kenyans accuse the church of siding with those in power rather than standing up for the rights of ordinary citizens.
The disconnect between the church and young Kenyans has been growing for years. Issues such as church leaders taking advantage of financially vulnerable people and scandals like the Shakahola massacre have contributed to a widespread distrust of the Kenyan Church among the younger generation.
One Twitter user expressed a sentiment shared by many: “I left the church in 2009 because of its manipulation tactics and siphoning money from churchgoers. AAAH! TUMECHOKA BANA.” (The last phrase roughly translates to “We are tired, man!”)
To understand the current tension, we need to take a step back and look at the roots of this complex relationship.
Where Did It All Begin?
Kenya is a predominantly Christian country, and many politicians profess to be Christians. During the 2022 election campaign, politicians made churches a key part of their strategy.
These politicians donated generously to religious causes, seeking to win over congregations. They contributed millions in cash to churches, bought vehicles for pastors, and funded the construction of church-owned structures. Kenya’s current President, William Ruto, was particularly active in this regard. He spent his Sundays visiting multiple churches across different counties.
Bishop Thomas Wahome told Nation Africa, “In Ruto, the chicken seller who wanted to become president, we saw ourselves. We saw that the Mabati churches that we ministered in could be something bigger. Our supporters saw that faith in God does indeed bring prosperity.”
This collaboration between the church and politicians undoubtedly influenced the political sentiments of many Kenyans. When a pastor endorsed a candidate, Christians in the area often saw that politician as trustworthy.
However, as the government began pushing for unpopular tax hikes and other controversial measures, many Kenyans felt betrayed.
One Twitter user, known as The Farmercist, didn’t mince words: “Church leaders in Kenya have fueled corruption by allowing politicians to use the pulpit as their campaign launch pad & thereafter, money laundering headquarters!”
Back to the Protests
When several clergy members visited the State House in the wake of ongoing protests, it sparked outrage among many Kenyans. Some saw it as the church cozying up to power rather than standing with the people.
Amanda, a self-described Christian on Twitter, voiced her frustration about the clergy visiting the State House. “I’m a Christian, and I’m disappointed! Have they raised money to offset the medical bills of the injured, encouraged congregants to donate blood, or offered the church as a haven for those affected by the violence? What ACTION have they taken?”
However, according to NCCK Patron Reverend Timothy Njoya, in an interview with Nation Africa, the clergy met President Ruto directly to voice their concerns.
Njoya shared that they told the President they viewed the State as “dead” and accused the Executive of overstepping its bounds by controlling Parliament. They urged Ruto to address this urgently.
The Church is Starting to Speak Up
While some churches were criticized for their perceived inaction, the Muslim community, particularly Jamia Mosque in Nairobi’s city center, earned praise from protestors.
At the beginning of the demonstrations, Jamia Mosque set up an emergency unit to care for injured protesters.
The situation with Jamia Mosque left many Kenyans feeling that Christian churches were hesitant to get involved in real social and political issues.
Holy Family Basilica, for instance, was criticized for closing its doors during the first day of protests. The cathedral later clarified that this was done to protect children in a school within the church compound. On Sunday, the 23rd of July, the church allowed the youth to voice their concerns about the finance bill during the service.
As protests intensified and police response became more aggressive, churches such as All Saints Cathedral opened their doors to offer sanctuary to those fleeing police violence, including injured demonstrators.
This shift in stance was particularly notable on July 26th, when police actions escalated dramatically.
Rev. Canon Evans Omollo, Provost of All Saints Cathedral, strongly condemned the police for firing tear gas into the church.
In an interview with Citizen TV, he recounted the harrowing experience:
“As a pastor, I shouldn’t be angry, but on Tuesday, my anger flared up, and the fuse got burnt. The last thing you’d want to do is to attack people who have sought refuge in church. These are helpless people, not armed. In my hands is a spent bullet that was fired inside All Saints Cathedral.”
Rev. Canon Evans Omollo, Provost of All Saints Cathedral
Rev. Canon Omollo went on to say, “The inspector general of police must apologize to the church. That conversation must happen. There’s blood on their hands.”
Other reverends at All Saints Cathedral publicly condemned the brutality police were showing the largely peaceful Gen Z protesters who had taken refuge in the church.
“This is a sign of impunity… this is not the way to go. We stand in solidarity with what you’re seeing here. The government needs to listen to the voice of the people.”
Protestors offered sanctuary by the All Saints Cathedral Church. Photo credit @All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi.
Pastors on the Streets
Some church leaders are indeed trying to bridge the gap between the church and the young protesters.
In an interview with Christianity Today, Precious Call Khamasi, a youth pastor at CITAM Valley Road, explained why he joined the protests.
“I have felt the pinch of the harsh economic environment as a result of the increased taxes, and secondly, I pastor the youth in our church, and I felt the need to stand with them not only in prayer but also with my presence on the streets,” Khamasi told the publication.
Some churches are now taking more concrete steps to address concerns about their relationship with politicians.
The Evangelical Churches of Kenya (EAK), which represents about 900 denominations, has called for churches nationwide to prohibit politicians from engaging in political discussions during church services.
Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) says it has listened to young people’s calls to separate politics from the pulpit. CITAM Presiding Bishop Calisto Odede stated,
“Indeed, they (Gen Z) truly showed us that, as the clergy, we should not politicize Christianity, and neither should we Christianise politics. We, the clergy, have certainly listened to your prophetic call.”
CITAM Presiding Bishop Calisto Odede
All Hope is Not Lost
Andrew Kariuki, a senior pastor, told Christianity Today that the church leadership had fallen short. “The church is not a public entity. Our church recognizes the failure of church leadership. We must lead as Jesus led.”
While much of the criticism has been directed at church leadership, many individual Christians have been actively involved in the protests. As one Kenyan mother put it during a church service that was captured on video and shared widely on social media,
“We can’t be quiet church, we can’t. It’s not about Gen Z. It’s about our lives. We don’t want to talk about the unholy marriage between the church and the government.”
As Kenya grapples with these tensions, one thing is clear. The relationship between church and state is under intense perusal. Young Kenyans are demanding that their religious leaders stand up for justice and the rights of ordinary citizens. They’re calling for an end to what they see as an unholy alliance between some church leaders and politicians.
The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether the church can regain the trust of young Kenyans.
Will religious leaders heed the calls to separate the pulpit from politics?
Can they effectively advocate for the needs of ordinary Kenyans while maintaining their spiritual mission?
As the Kenyan mother who spoke during the widely shared church service video put it,
“What if the church stood for what is right and the fundamental of Christian faith — justice?”
Photo credits: All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi, @festolang
