The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) clergy have urged the government to cease intimidating churches in an attempt to silence them.
The clergies while addressing the press on Thursday, November 28, stated that PCEA churches have reported seeing strange visitors during church services.
“We are concerned by the way church leaders are being intimidated by security agents and strange people seen during church services. This will stop going forward,” the clergies said.
“This has happened lately when the church has become bad on government that’s when we have started seeing visitors. Of course, we need visitors in church, but we are concerned that some of them are not genuine.”
PCEA Clergy Speaks of Spies in Churches
PCEA moderator, Rev Thegu Mutahi stated that such intimidation is very covert, adding that this has been experienced after the churches started to hold the government accountable.
“Church leaders and members usually know other church members but there are people who come to church, they don’t identify themselves, they are suspicious,” he added.
“They are trying kind of sending fear so that if am in a church and I would want to speak, when they look at me am very careful of what am saying.”
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In terms of contributions, the clergy emphasized that the PCEA has been unequivocal about the role of politicians in the church.
“We stated before the 2022 general elections that we shall not allow our pulpits to be used for politics. We stated it before any other denomination, and we never sided with any political wing,” Thuge said.
Clergy Criticize Lavish Donations by Politicians
At the same time, PCEA clergy called out politicians for using the church as a platform to showcase wealth through extravagant donations.
The clergy emphasized that while the church welcomes all members, including politicians, and acknowledges giving as an integral part of worship, it is concerned about the source and intent of certain donations.
“PCEA has many politicians who are members, and they are free to worship and give, just like all other members. What the church is against is the practice of splashing money around to show off,” said Thegu.
The clergy also expressed suspicion over the vast amounts of money donated by some public servants, questioning their sources of income.
“We know the salaries of public servants. When someone donates Ksh 15 million today and Ksh 20 million the next day, we wonder where the money is coming from. What business in Kenya, apart from politics, generates such wealth?”
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They further criticized the practice of using the church to flaunt wealth, stating that most of the church’s support comes from “silent members who give without showing off.”
The clergy encouraged politicians to contribute modestly, just like other congregants, and refrain from using the church for personal or political gain.
“We are not against giving; it is part and parcel of worship. But let politicians give like our members do—quietly and sincerely—without turning it into a display of power or influence,” they concluded.
Ruto Goes on with donations in Churches
The statement comes after President William Ruto’s continued donations to churches, even after the Archdiocese of Nairobi declined his contributions.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Kipsitet Primary School in Kericho County, Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the church through gifts.
“We are going to serve God through our contributions. So, we have absolutely no apologies to make as we give to God because He gave us first,” Ruto stated.
During the event, the president donated Ksh 15 million to Kipsitet Primary and Secondary Schools, sparking further debate about the role of political figures in church contributions.
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