Retired clerics free to join politics, says Archbishop Sapit
ACK Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit speaks to journalists in Wote Town on August 14, 2016 during the retirement ceremony for Makueni bishop Joseph Kanuku. Dr Sapit said that retired clerics were at liberty to join politics. PHOTO | PIUS MAUNDU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Dr Sapit supported the recent capping of campaign financing by the IEBC.
- On the recent court ruling that sex between cousins was legal, Archbishop Sapit said that it went against the Bible.
- The retiring Bishop Kanuku said that he was not interested in joining politics.
- He said he would spend his time offering guidance and counselling services and critiquing politicians.
Retired clerics are at liberty to pursue political ambitions, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit has said.
Speaking in Wote Town on Sunday during the retirement ceremony of outgoing ACK Makueni Diocese Bishop Joseph Kanuku, Archbishop Sapit said that nothing bars clerics who are not serving from pursuing political engagements.
“However, it is prudent that the clerics retire to other duties rather than engaging in competitive politics as this would give them an edge to keep politicians on their toes,” he said.
Archbishop Sapit urged politicians to preach peace and shun divisive politics during the electioneering period that he said had already started.
SUPPORTED CAPPING OF CAMPAIGN MONEY
Dr Sapit supported the recent capping of campaign financing by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He extolled the need for regulation of the monies politicians use during campaigns.
He said: “This is one way of ensuring that vices such as voter bribery do not show up during the campaigns.”
On the recent court ruling that sex between cousins was legal, Archbishop Sapit said that it went against the Bible.
"The Bible is very clear, sexual relations between blood relatives is called incest and it is a sin," he said.
The retiring Bishop Kanuku said that he was not interested in joining politics.
However, he said he would spend his time offering guidance and counselling services and critiquing politicians.
“I will spend my time reminding politicians that they are in positions of power to be servants of the people,” he said.
Other leaders who attended the event include Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) board chairman Gideo Ndambuki, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo and Kaiti MP Katemi Makenga.
