Council of churches expose ulterior motive behind renewed fight on graft

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) chairman, Reverend Elias Agola, has warned that recent high-profile anti-corruption campaigns are being used as a political tool to divert public attention from pressing national issues rather than genuinely tackling corruption.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, during an interview on a local radio station, Agola said that while fighting corruption remains vital, some campaigns have been manipulated to target specific individuals or institutions for political gain.

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“There are realignments happening. People who have been around long enough are being removed by creating a story, a narrative that everyone now reads from and role-plays,” he said.

Political motives

The NCCK chairman has stressed that the timing and selective focus of certain corruption narratives often raise questions about their true purpose.

“I’m not saying parliament or the judiciary cannot be corrupt. That is not the point. But why are these accusations surfacing now, and why are they selective? Who decides which institutions or individuals are targeted?” he asked.

He cautioned that such politically motivated campaigns risk misleading the public and overshadowing urgent national concerns. “Kenyans are not supposed to be taken for a ride. We have huge matters to discuss, but attention is being shifted through manufactured drama,” he said.

Call for genuine accountability

Agola emphasised that corruption must be addressed through proper legal and institutional channels. “If there are allegations, the law provides mechanisms and institutions to handle them. Why then is the narrative being played out publicly in a way that seems designed to distract or manipulate?” he questioned.

He urged leaders and citizens to remain vigilant and ensure that anti-corruption initiatives serve genuine accountability rather than political manoeuvring.

“Corruption must be fought, but it should not be weaponised to serve narrow interests. Citizens must demand that the focus remains on real governance issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

Rev. Agola’s remarks follow recent high-profile actions by anti-corruption agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) summoning Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on Monday, August 2, 2025, over corruption claims.