Sermon that sent Gitari into hiding

A faithful holds the late Dr David Gitari’s autobiography when it was launched at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on October 16, 2014. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT

What you need to know:

  • In one of his sermons, the book says, Dr Gitari, in anger, accused President Daniel arap Moi’s government of stealing votes.
  • “But the late Archbishop Gitari did not give up. He vowed to soldier on with the fight against the queuing voting and the Kanu dictatorship,” he said.
  • Among those at the book launch was Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, senior counsels Paul Muite and Lee Muthoga and former Attorney-General Charles Njonjo.

Anglican Archbishop David Gitari hid in his would-be successor Eliud Wabukhala’s house for weeks as the government pursued him for criticising the queue voting system beloved by the Kanu regime.

That was in 1988. The fight for Kenya’s second liberation had peaked up and Dr Gitari was unhappy with the queuing system, also know as mlolongo. This is contained in the late Gitari’s autobiography, which was launched in Nairobi on Thursday.

In one of his sermons, the book says, Dr Gitari, in anger, accused President Daniel arap Moi’s government of stealing votes. Woe unto him, among the faithful was District Commissioner Keholo Mhalule. The DCs acted as returning officers and were accused of favouring the president or his choice.

“The DC described the sermon as the best only to label it seditious the following day, said Dr Chris Sugden, the publisher of Dr Gitari’s autobiography. Other Kanu leaders joined in and Dr Gitari would know no peace.

TROUBLED BUT NOT DESTROYED

Dr Sugden spoke at All Saints Cathedral on Thursday during the launch of the the book, Troubled But Not Destroyed.

“But the late Archbishop Gitari did not give up. He vowed to soldier on with the fight against the queuing voting and the Kanu dictatorship,” he said.

Among those at the book launch was Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, senior counsels Paul Muite and Lee Muthoga and former Attorney-General Charles Njonjo.

Dr Wabukhala said that Gitari sought refuge in his house in Bungoma. “He stayed with me for two weeks,” the Rev Wabukhala said.

“He witnessed senior clerics undergo all kinds of maltreatment from the Kanu regime but vowed not to give up. I wish our leaders can carry on with Gitari’s spirit and boldness,” he said.

Rev Wabukala described the late Dr Gitari as an outstanding leader of the 20th century who sacrificed his life to fight for democracy and good leadership. Dr Gitari died last year.