Church bans politicians from pulpit

A major church in Nairobi on Sunday banned politicians from its podium and also said it will not receive their gifts obtained from unclear sources.

All Saints Cathedral said the church will only receive gifts from politicians once it has been established that they are not related to any corrupt activities.

Churchgoers have accused politicians of using religious functions as platforms to promote their own political agenda and attack opponents.

At the same time, politicians have gagged religious leaders from speaking out their minds on good governance and poor service delivery.

According to a research conducted in 2008 by Steadman Group now known as Ipsos-Synovate Kenya, more than a third of Kenyans were unhappy with the role of religious leaders in politics. Majority want them to play a more significant role.

Only 17 per cent felt the Church should completely avoid politics.