Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was on Sunday, June 23, 2024. barred from inviting a politician to speak during a church service at the ACK Diocese of Nyahururu, Laikipia County.
Gachagua, who had initially been barred from speaking during the event, requested to have one politician speak during the church function, a request declined by Bishop Ole Sapit.
Gachagua requested the Bishop to allow Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo to speak on behalf of other politicians who were attending the event. Naomi was married to the late Bishop William Waqo.
“Askofu nikubalie nikukosee kidogo. Kwa niaba ya hawa watu nipee tu mmoja, lakini huyo hawezi haribu kwa sababu yeye ni part of your clergy. Ni canon. Ni bibi ya bishop,” Gachagua said.
After the chance was denied, Gachagua was forced to invite President William Ruto to address the congregants who were attending the event.
Gachagua’s revelation
Speaking during the event, Gachagua revealed that he was only allowed to speak during the event after pleading with the church leadership.
“A decision was made that today’s service must be a church affair with no politics. The Bishop-elect and four canons looked for me and told me that bishops had met and decided that the concentration and enthronement must be a church affair and they do not want politics in the church. They told me only President William Ruto will speak,” he added.
On Sunday, several calls were made in different churches to reject Finance Bill 2024, with the youth pushing the churches to bar politicians from speaking during church events.
On Sunday, Kenyans from different parts of the country interrupted church services in different places demanding that the church declares its stand on the Finance Bill 2024.
At Holy Family Basilica, church members were granted a few seconds to chant ‘Reject Finance Bill’, led by a youth who was carrying the Kenyan flag.
The same was witnessed at other churches including the Nairobi Chapel.
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, a section of Kenyans thronged nightclubs in honour of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 action plan shared on Thursday
The youthful Kenyans stopped partying midway to chant anti-Finance Bill slogans including ‘reject’, ‘Ruto must go’ and even the country’s national anthem in solidarity against the contentious bill which sailed through the Second Reading.
In a program dubbed ‘7 days of Rage’ that began on Friday, June 21, 2024, young Kenyans announced plans meant to mount pressure on MPs to reject Finance Bill 2024.
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