THE CHURCH NEEDS TO OUT TAKE THE PLANK FROM ITS EYE FIRST.

Before anything, let me be clear first. I am a staunch Christian and a follower of the word of God. I certainly have no hard feelings against the Church as an institution. Rather, I believe that the Church has been a let down in the recent past concerning their deserting of their role of giving spiritual direction occasioned by their quest for political advocacy and prowess. 

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:5

Angelica Zambrano

When Angelica Zambrano testified in her shocking testimony for having seen the late Pope John Paul the second burning in the pits of hell, it didn't come as much of a shocker. According to her, the former pope was involved in corruption dealings and surprisingly insinuated that he had relations with nuns, what she called adultery and fornication. Surprisingly enough, this is something that is still happening in the church, that is according to her. Irregardless of whether her testimony was true or not, this comes as a wake up call to the Church in the world and more so the Church in Kenya. We have seen the worst happen, gay priests ordained and priests presiding gay marriages. Remember what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah? One of the main evils was homosexuality, something the church is now seemingly embracing with both arms. The Church as an institution should be relevant to its role. As much as it should stand for morals regarding national events, they need also to realise that their internal state also largely affects the manner in which they present themselves to the general public.
The Church in the past has been up to the task. The likes of Reverend Njoya literally got whipped in their efforts to lead this country into second liberation. For example, the ruling made by the court to subject the constitution to a referendum before its enacted into law was as a result filed by Rev. Njoya. During Moi's era, the church was vocal on issues concerning bad governance. From political killings, to corruption to election rigging. Others like Reverend Muge even faced death in mysterious circumstances probably for meddling in rather effervescent issues.
Many may argue that the failure of the church began with these rather radical elements. In the past, when the likes of Mannasses Kuria and Obadiah Kariuki were at the helm of our churches, they maintained a clear divide between them and matters of the state. Similarly, the state refrained from involving itself with matters of faith.
However, the current crop of Church Ministers have failed to distinguish themselves from the Ministers in parliament, both actively participating in politics as if it was a calling for both of them. During the referendum in 2005, the Church distanced itself from taking sides and advised their flock to vote with their conscience. Come 2010, and a very similar setting had a very different repulse from the men of the cloth, warning Kenyans to vote against the draft for what was supposedly viewed as selfish intent and fear that our Islam brothers will have a firmer grip on the affairs of this country. Leaves one to wonder whether the Church has actually begun preaching water after their own intoxication on wine. At times when the Church was required to unite the masses, they took sides to divide people even more.
Recently, they have come out spitting fire in an attempt to stop Dr. Willy Mutunga and Nancy Baraza from getting vetted into the positions of Chief and Deputy Chief Justices respectively, for claims that the two have ideas that do not seem to augur so well with the church, concerning same sex marriages and abortion. I am an ardent reader of the scripture and often come across a verse that refrains me from judging my neighbour. Especially in a case such as this where both parties have adamantly denied the claims.
Talking about homosexuality, why did the Church remain silent concerning Fr. Renato Kizito after he was accused of sodomy? Here, is a man who says, see, I'm not homosexual, though I don't discriminate them, and here is a guy who has been accused of sodomy, I mean, who requires more 'spiritual' attention? Or does it mean that since he is a man of the cloth he is capable of no blemish?
The Church has lost its influence greatly, for failing to set an example to the flock. They have shown that they are in more need of their own well being other than the spiritual well-being of the people. It has even got to extremes where they have even openly participated in selling blessings to the people. They have played politics, from simple talk to land grabbing, yet they elegantly scoff up to criticise those that are least of their concern.
The Church should not be used as a ground or rather a basis to channel revenge for personal vendetta. The Church is an institution that deserves to be respected not only by the people but also by the clergy. Next time a man stands up to speak for the Church they need to realise that they are doing so in the presence of God, and they need to search their souls before they utter a word of judgement.

a church burnt down during the post-election violence

I was shocked beyond word when the other day I saw the clergy openly curse those behind the demolition of a structure that housed one of their colleagues' ministry. It was such a pain that the same people who should preach peace and forgiveness are the same people ready to take matters to their own hands. Jesus himself told his Father, "Forgive them for they knoweth what they are doing." Openly cursing those deemd to be their offendors as they did that day was a direct insult to the same morals they strive to uphold. That is why, currently the Church bears no place in the hearts of many Kenyans, for their own undoing. That is why in 2007 during the post-election violence, the masses went ahead to burn down a church. It shows to what extent their influence has degraded and how much people have lost their respect.


When Jesus Christ realised that the Pharisees cared so much about their outward expression other than their inward character,  he called them snakes. I, not being Jesus won't call those hypocritical leaders snakes, though it doesn't really make them anything lessor than that. The clergy needs to prioritise their interest, otherwise they are completely in the wrong callings. They need to take out the planks from their eyes fist before anything else.They should realise that what makes them is not what they speak, rather, its what their actions are.

I respect all men of the clergy, and all those who uphold character before what comes out of their mouths. The rest just need to step up.