ACK Arch Bishop Ole Sapit ban on politicians excites Kenyans

Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya Jackson Ole Sapit on Sunday, September 12, banned Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga from speaking at a church function in Butere.

Ole Sapit was presiding over the consecration of Rev. Rose Okeno as the Bishop of the Butere Diocese at the Butere Girls Secondary School Kakamega County where Odinga and Mudavadi were invited as guests.

He affirmed that he would not allow any political speeches in the church, adding that it is a no-go zone for political speeches. He further disclosed that leaders would only be allowed to worship at the church and leave quietly just like other members of the congregation.

“I know that most of you are members of the church, but because of where we are, I beg to be understood that we have to let the church be the church when it gathers,” Sapit stated.

The archbishop explained that if he gave a chance to politicians to speak during the function, the other non-political groups would also ask to be given airtime, something that the church has no time for.

“So what I will do is this, I will read the names of all our members, whom we respect so much, leaders of our society who have come to grace the occasion, and if you want to address the press, they will address when the service is ended,” The Anglican Church leader said.

Sapit added that the church had hitherto been turned into a battle ground for political scores and is no longer regarded as a place of worship.

The clergy also pointed a finger at the media for their role in the same stating that when a sermon is given in a church, they do not air it but otherwise only focus on the political statements made in the church.

“And from today onwards, I have banned politicians from speaking inside the Anglican Church. Even if you (the media) put your cameras there, they will not speak,” Sapit reiterated.

Raila had been accompanied by the Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna while Mudavadi was accompanied by Ford Kenya Party Leader Moses Wetangula and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah.

The move by Ole Sapit prompted  Mudavadi and Wetangula  to walk out of the event. They were disappointed that they would not be given a chance to talk.

Update: The ACK leader later clarified that no one walked out. He said that ANC party leader informed him of his departure to attend another function before the end of the Butere event. Raila stayed put to the end.