Jackson Ole Sapit, the Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, just stopped politicians from talking to church members during services nationwide. He stated they can still talk to people after church ends, but they must do it outside. The Archbishop mentioned that politicians will simply stand and wave when their names come up during services. At St Stephen's Cathedral on Sunday, he also declared churches will no longer announce how much money people give during offerings.
The Archbishop made his position clear: "We will recognize visitors, but starting today, no political leader can make speeches inside any Anglican church building. If they want to address church members, they must do it outside our holy space - not just today but across all our churches and regions." He added firmly about donations: "We already decided that money given in our churches stays private. Just give what God tells you to give. We don't need to tell other people what we've given to God."
Several important politicians attended the service when this rule came into effect, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. This rule arrives during a time when many politicians regularly speak from church pulpits and publicly give large donations. Many leaders and citizens have expressed disapproval of this new church policy.
The Anglican Church isn't the first religious group to create these limits. Catholic leaders previously stopped political speeches in their churches as well. Back on September 15, 2021, Catholic bishops joined together to ban politicians from making political statements inside their church buildings. The pattern shows growing concern among religious leaders about mixing politics with worship services.
The Archbishop made his position clear: "We will recognize visitors, but starting today, no political leader can make speeches inside any Anglican church building. If they want to address church members, they must do it outside our holy space - not just today but across all our churches and regions." He added firmly about donations: "We already decided that money given in our churches stays private. Just give what God tells you to give. We don't need to tell other people what we've given to God."
Several important politicians attended the service when this rule came into effect, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. This rule arrives during a time when many politicians regularly speak from church pulpits and publicly give large donations. Many leaders and citizens have expressed disapproval of this new church policy.
The Anglican Church isn't the first religious group to create these limits. Catholic leaders previously stopped political speeches in their churches as well. Back on September 15, 2021, Catholic bishops joined together to ban politicians from making political statements inside their church buildings. The pattern shows growing concern among religious leaders about mixing politics with worship services.
