Raila lauds ACK for refusing ‘dirty’ cash

ODM leader Raila Odinga has lauded the Anglican Church of Kenya for its firm position on receiving money from corrupt leaders.

He maintained that the church should not be used as an avenue for money laundering by political leaders who are not ready to disclose their sources of income.

DUPING KENYANS

“Most of the money being distributed in places of worship is stolen money intended to build essential facilities like hospitals, roads, schools and ensure Kenyans are food secure,” he said.

Mr Odinga called on members of the clergy who are true to their calling not to shy away from questioning where the millions being donated to them are coming from.

“Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit is the first spiritual leader to stand for the truth and tell off politicians who are roaming around the country with hidden and selfish agendas of duping Kenyans for the sake of 2022 politics,” he said.

Mr Odinga was speaking Saturday during the 60th anniversary of the death of his father in-law, Dr Nehemiah Oyoo, at the ACK Holy Trinity Church at Maliera in Siaya county.

“It is unimaginable that someone who earns Sh1 million per month can donate up to Sh30 million every month in the name of being charitable,” said Mr Odinga.

Archbishop Sapit, who is also a member of the National Anti-Corruption Task Force, has previously cautioned the church against hyping harambees and guests of honour at the expense of preaching the gospel.

“Let us not allow harambee money to become a subtle way of sanitising corrupt leaders,” he said last month after a meeting of the Multi-sectoral Initiative Against Corruption.

In response, Deputy President William Ruto who has been accused of engaging in a number of fundraisers, maintained that he will not stop giving to the church, saying he is a Christian first while other titles come after.

UNAPOLOGETIC

“Since Sunday school we learned to kneel before and worship God. That’s the only reason we stand before men. We will continue to worship Jehovah with our hearts and substance. We are unashamed of our God and unapologetic of our faith. We are Christians first other titles after,” he said on his official Twitter account.

But Mr Odinga, who later spoke to the congregation during the memorial service at Dr Oyoo’s Ukaya home in Gem constituency, termed ethnicity as the biggest hindrance to growth of the country.

He reiterated that the Bridging Bridges Initiative will heal the big divide which Kenyans have experienced over the years.

“There is no difference between us and the issue of tribalism has been used by selfish political leaders who want to use their communities as a shield to cover up for their corrupt deals,” he said.

His calls were echoed by East African Legislative Assembly MP Oburu Oginga who called on Mr Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta not to relent in their quest to fight corruption for the sake of the country’s development.

The ceremony was also attended by Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang Nyong’o, Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Rachael Shebesh, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga and Homa Bay Deputy Governor Hannington Orata.