By Reuben Olita
Anglican Church of Kenya Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude has effected the order of the church’s head Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, banning politicians from making political speeches in their functions across the country.
Bishop Okude, who had not made public appearances for a couple of weeks owing to ill-health, bounced back with a decision that stunned local politicians who had attended the burial service of Layreader Mama Ruth Kisaka Kirori in Katakwa, Teso North Sub County on Friday.
The church had taken over the function when politicians had not made their speeches. As per previous traditions, they had hoped the Bishop would allow them to speak after the service, which was based on John 14:13 and Isaiah 25:6-9.
Drama unfolded when the Bishop only invited Busia County Secretary John Oscar Juma, who had offered condolence message of Governor H.E Dr Paul Otuoma.
The only other person Bishop Okude invited was Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Hon Peter Imwatok. In his condolence message, Imwatok said at 84 years Mama Ruth had surpassed the 70-year mark that is documented in the bible as the minimum number of years a person is supposed to Live on earth, other years being bonus.
Leaders who found themselves on the radar of the ACK included Busia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu, Members of the County Assembly Bonface Ekada ( Malaba South), Gardy Jakaa ( Bukhayo North/ Walatsi), Joseph Eseme ( Angurai South), Isaac Wamalwa (Angurai North), Rose Amoit ( nominated).
Also locked out were Grace Olita Omasete, who was to deliver the Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Osiya’s condolence message to the bereaved family and William Okalio who represented Teso North MP Oku Kaunya.
Leaders walked away in protest when the Bishop ushered in former Chief Officer for Education and Vocational Training Joel Barua to give a vote of thanks on behalf of the family, effectively locking out politicians.
They expressed disappointment over Bishop Okude’s move to deny them the chances of addressing mourners and make some contributions to assist the deceased family in off-setting burial expenses.
One leader claimed that this move to ban them from addressing mourners was allegedly orchestrated by an area leader and an official in the county government who comes from the area.
” They knew the ground was hostile for them. The only way was to block politicians from delivering their condolence messages,” he said.
The leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity added: ” There were very strong instructions from the two officials that former Amukura Ward MCA Mose Baaba not to be allowed to attend the function because of his hard stance on the county government.
The leader said it was no wonder that the Bishop took over the program and allowed only the Nairobi Majority Leader Peter Imwatok to speak and denied the local leadership.
Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah have backed the move by the Anglican Church to ban politicians from speaking on their pulpits.
Wamalwa, the former defence cabinet secretary, said that was the only way politics could be kept out of the church, adding that the church must remain a place of worship.
“I hope other churches follow suit, and the Church remains a place of worship, not a political arena,” Eugene said.
Senator Omtatah who shared a video of Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit making the announcement, which he captioned with the words, “way to go”.
