President Ruto hits back at clergy, warns against politicising the pulpit

President William Ruto has hit back at religious leaders who criticised his recent remarks and conduct, urging them not to allow politicians to turn churches into arenas for political battles.

Speaking in Yala on Saturday, the President accused opposition figures of using church platforms to spread insults, hate and divisive politics.

A war of words between President Ruto and opposition leaders has escalated in recent days, with sharp public exchanges drawing the attention of the church. Religious leaders have condemned the rising lack of decorum.

The President and his allies are however shifting the blame back to the pulpit, accusing some churches of enabling toxic political rhetoric.

“Mimi naheshimu sana viongozi wetu wa dini lakini msikubali majukwaa, madhabahu, kanisa itumike kwa matusi...kwa kuendesha fitina na ukabila na chuki kati ya Wakenya...sisi tunaelewana jameni? wale wanatutukana kwa kanisa tunawaambia punguzeni mambo yenu,” said Ruto.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah on his part said: “We as leaders we are more embarrassed that our archbishops can preside over trading of insults in churches and in altars of our churches.”

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed added: “Tutoe matusi kwa kanisa tukutane kwa kiwanja, sisi hatuwezi enda kwa kanisa kutusi watu...sisi tunangoja wewe hapa kwa soko tutakumbusha wewe...”

At a separate event in Bureti, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot also slammed the clergy for alleged selective criticism.

“You the church who are telling the President to keep quiet, for three years these people have been insulting the President, where have you been?” Cheruiyot posed.

The President also accused the opposition of lacking a clear agenda, saying they have instead resorted to personal attacks during rallies, adding that he will not hesitate to respond.

“Mara wananiita mwizi, wananitta muuwaji...sasa juzi nikawaambia wacheni matusi walisema hawana agenda, hawana sera,” said Ruto.

Politics along party lines also took centre stage, with ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga warning the opposition against interfering in the party's affairs, even as MPs signaled a bruising showdown with the Linda Mwananchi faction within the party.

“Na uwachene na chama ya ODM kabisa, wewe endelea na chama chako ya Kijiji,” said Wanga, the Homa Bay Governor.

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said: “Let me say here we are going to elect a new Governor of Siaya.”

Earlier, the President launched an affordable housing project in Yala to be built at a cost of Ksh.800 million