Religious Leaders and Kenya Members of Parliament: Lost Chance or a Relationship for Social Transformation?

Lost Chance or a Relationship for Social Transformation?

Abstract

Leaders of the various Christian churches and denominations have always interacted with the political world in Kenya. This relationship changed through time. During the colonial era, the Church Mission Society (Anglican church) and Protestant churches had friendly relationship with the British rulers. The Catholic church kept a low profile, somehow feeling ‘foreigner’ within a British environment. A shift in relationship appeared after independence. Church leaders became more and more aware of their social role. They questioned Presidents Kenyatta’s and Moi’s actions. The rift between religious leaders and the Kenyan political world reached its apex in the 1990s, when Protestant and Catholic leaders took a clear stand against President Moi’s regime. The churches were instrumental in fighting for a multi-party state and in making people aware of their rights in a modern state. Today, the relationship between religious leaders and the political world has changed again. In this article, the author argues that politicians feels exploited by religious leaders. Politicians would like a new relationship where religious leaders engage them positively, supporting their work with clear religious and ethical considerations. Politicians also wish to be involved in the life of their faith communities because of their expertise and good will, beyond financial considerations.