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Religion and politics don’t mix! Rev. Sammy Wainaina fires at Raila and Ruto

By Wangu Kanuri February 16th, 2023 2 min read

The All Saints Cathedral Reverend Cannon Sammy Wainaina has rubbished the ongoing prayer rallies and thanksgiving services by political leaders in the different political groupings they serve.

In an interview with Citizen TV, the provost shared that the rallies were political ones disguised in religion.

Adding that, unfortunately, the men of the cloth had been hoodwinked. Rev Wainaina noted that pastors and bishops are political brokers “for hire” by the political class. They are on the payroll.

Rev Wainaina’s remarks come hours after the Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Odinga announced that he would lead prayers at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) building next week.

In response, the Reverend said, “What we are seeing now is a public display of religiosity. Each of the political divides wants to be in the headlines of a newspaper the following morning. The IEBC needs prayers but does not require a political group to pray for them.”

Also read: Faith without works is dead – Reuben Kigame on Ruto’s led prayers

Still, in the place of church debate in the country, the provost argued that the thanksgiving services that have been on the rise by President William Ruto and his administration were not what Kenyans elected him to do.

Explaining that if there was a need for prayers, the President could choose a Sunday and ask the entire nation to join in from wherever they are, Dr Wainaina expounded that the Bible was clear on how one should pray.

“Matthew chapter 6 talks of when you want to pray, close your door. Go in there. You can easily package yourself as a religious but not Godly.”

Countering Valentine’s prayers led by the Head of State over drought and hunger, Rev Wainaina questioned what the government would do if there would not be rain for the next five years.

Further, the provost urged the government to look into ways other countries with fewer rainfalls could produce and export food.

“Look at Egypt how many times does it get rain? Who produces the best fruits? Look at Israel and some of the Arab countries. What they have done is go into the new technology of farming having enough food to an extent of importation.”

Also read: Na sio tafadhali! Narok governor Patrick Ole Ntutu directs all county staff to attend Ruto prayers