Deputy President Kithure Kindiki
has called for respect between the Church and government officials.
The
DP said there should be mutual respect between the two entities and religious
leaders should correct government with love.
Speaking
on Sunday during a Church service in Kakamega, Kindiki said state officials are
human and bound to make mistakes.
“The government and its officials should not disrespect the Church or religious leaders of all faiths. Likewise, when religious leaders want to correct the government, they must correct us in love. You should not correct us as if there is a problem, there is no problem,” he said.
The
DP called on government and church leaders to work together, saying that there
was no tension or disrespect between the government and the Church.
He said the government was not at war with the Church because the
Church has a responsibility to guide and correct everyone.
"We
respect all the religions and they must likewise respect the government. The
government has been given the constitutional right and the Bible says that
leadership comes from God,” Kindiki said.
He
said if the Church and government officials adopt the culture of mutual
respect, they would build a respectful relationship.
“It is only that government is led
by human beings, there are things which we are doing to the best of our ability
and we do not mind us being advised on how we can improve those things but when
you advice us, please do it with love and don’t tear the country apart by
inciting people against one another.”
The country has in recent days witnessed
some government officials clash with the Church following stern stance taken by
some church leaders on state affairs.
It started with bashing by the
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops who in a televised press conference last
month accused the government of relying on brutal repression to silence
critics, asserting that the administration thrives on half-truths and outright
lies.
KCCB went further and returned
Sh5.6 million donated by the President towards the completion of a
priest’s house at Soweto Catholic church and support for the church choir and
PCM.
MPs responded through a heated
debate after Church leaders accused the government of running down the country.
Some MPs saw the criticism as an overreach by religious groups while others stood in defence of the clergy.
