During the Labour Day prayers on Monday, Archbishop Arthur Kitonga of the Redeemed Gospel Church used his time to appeal to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga to retire peacefully and desist from organizing protests. The prayer session was held at Uhuru Gardens and was attended by President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In his speech, Bishop Kitonga requested Mr Odinga to step away from active politics and avoid protests. He stated, "We pray for Honourable Raila to retire peacefully, the time you have now is to enjoy your retirement."
He further added that the country did not have the bandwidth for conflict, and therefore, Mr Odinga should drop his plan of going to the streets and rest. He prayed that God should give President Ruto the guidance and wisdom to lead the nation effectively, without any disputes.
During his prayer, Bishop Kitonga also praised President Ruto, stating that he had already made significant strides in transforming the country in just a few months. He further noted that if given five or ten years, President Ruto would make the country look like Jerusalem. This was a clear endorsement of the President's leadership style and vision.
Bishop Kitonga's message seemed to resonate well with the gathering, and his remarks were met with applause. However, it did not go unnoticed that he had taken a political stance in his speech, which some viewed as inappropriate during a prayer session.
The Archbishop's message seemed to align with President Ruto's political agenda, and some commentators speculated that he was using the pulpit to endorse the President and his allies.
The timing of Bishop Kitonga's message was also noteworthy, as it came amid heightened political tensions in the country. The upcoming general elections have already generated a lot of interest, with various political camps jostling for influence and control.
The statement by the Archbishop may be viewed as an attempt to sway public opinion towards President Ruto's side, given the influence that religious leaders have in the country.
While some may view the Archbishop's message as inappropriate, others believe that religious leaders have a responsibility to speak out on political issues that affect their followers.
The church has always played a critical role in shaping public opinion, especially during elections. In recent years, the church has become more vocal in its criticism of political leaders and their policies.
In conclusion, Archbishop Arthur Kitonga's message during the Labour Day prayers urging Raila Odinga to retire peacefully and desist from organizing protests while praising President Ruto, was a clear political statement. While some may view it as inappropriate, others believe that religious leaders have a responsibility to speak out on political issues.