Wabukala right man to head IEBC, says Ole Sapit
Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit addressing journalist September 4, 2016 at Wote Town during installation Canon Francis Matui, the incoming ACK bishop in charge of the church in Makueni diocese. PHOTO | PIUS MAUNDU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Archbishop Ole Sapit spoke at Wote Town on Sunday when he officiated the concentration and enthronement ceremony for Canon Francis Mboya Matui, the incoming bishop to head the Anglican Church in Makueni diocese.
- Backing the calls, Mr Sapit said that his predecessor had demonstrated his leadership prowess at the church and beyond “and has even been involved in reconciling politicians before.”
The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has backed a proposal to have its former head Eliud Wabukala to lead the beleaguered Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has said.
Archbishop Ole Sapit spoke at Wote Town on Sunday when he officiated the concentration and enthronement ceremony for Canon Francis Mboya Matui, the incoming bishop to head the Anglican Church in Makueni diocese.
“Should he be found suitable to head IEBC, and if he shall win the trust of Kenyans to steer the electoral body, we shall support that decision,” he said.
At the ceremony, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo waded into the IEBC succession debacle and played into the hands of a section of politicians led by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria — who have been pushing for Mr Wabukala to assume the leadership of IEBC — triggering the response by the archbishop.
Backing the calls, Mr Sapit said that his predecessor had demonstrated his leadership prowess at the church and beyond “and has even been involved in reconciling politicians before.”
“However we shall not agitate for his appointment as if we hold the solution to reforming the electoral agency,” said the ACK boss.
Among the leaders who attended the ceremony was Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Woman Representative Rose Museo, and former Kaiti MP Gideon Ndambuki and three Members of Makueni County Assembly.
The ACK head urged politicians to emulate the church in the way it hands over power without squabbles.
Using a parable of an ostrich who wanted to get back its young ones from a ferocious lion who had adopted them, Mr Sapit dissuaded government officials from graft that denied residents their rightful development projects.
A father of two, Mr Matui got into evangelism in his early years and has swiftly risen through the ACK church ranks.
At one point, the 43-year-old served as the Provost of All Souls Cathedral in Machakos County.
Before he was appointed to replace retired Bishop Joseph Kanuku, Mr Matui served as the Archdeacon of Mbitini Archdeaconry in Makueni County.
He vowed to work harmoniously with the church leaders to promote evangelism in the region.
