Kenyans want clergy to shun politics: poll

Most Kenyans are of the view that religious leaders should stick to spiritual matters and shun politics because it is a “dirty game”.

Sixty four per cent of respondents in a nationwide research on the preparedness of Kenya towards the 2012 General Election said the clergy should stick to religious matters while 14.23 said religious leaders had been overshadowed by politicians.

Some respondents in the study by Jesuit Hakimani Centre were of the view that religious leaders had lost moral authority because of participating in politics.

However, in an interesting twist, a 55.8 per cent majority believe that clergymen will influence the outcome of the coming General Election.

Of the remaining, 30 per cent believe that religious leaders will not influence, while 14.2 were unsure.

On the faith element that will influence voting trends in the forthcoming polls, personal conviction inspired by religious faith is rated as the most influential factor at 42.5 per cent, followed by personal reading of holy books at 39.7 per cent while the actions and sermons of religious leaders were last at 28.2 per cent.

The respondents unanimously agreed that the religious institutions should focus on peace building and reconciliation.

They also want them to invest more in civic education, strengthening people’s faith, bringing the gap between the rich and the poor and promoting cultural diversity.

The respondents, aged 18 and above, unanimously agreed that Kenyans had not healed from the 2007/2008 post-election violence and urged the religious leaders to conduct civic education.

The pollster conducted both qualitative and quantitative research that covered towns and rural areas in Bungoma, Kakamega, Eldoret, Kisumu, Kisii, Nakuru, Nairobi, Thika, Nyeri, Isiolo, Meru, Matuu, Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu.

The research covered aspects like good governance, economic justice, media and political communication and religion and politics.

The respondents noted the significance of faith on civic life with 48.8 per cent regarding as average while 44 per cent saying faith was important.

The respondents who said it was important explained that their faith was the source of integrity.