Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government will begin helping families of clergy members to access opportunities in public service. While speaking to religious leaders in Nairobi on Tuesday, April 15, Kindiki said the government will work closely with church leaders to make sure that the children and dependents of pastors and other clergy members are considered for various positions in the public sector.
This, he said, is a way of recognizing the commitment and sacrifices made by religious leaders who continue to pray for the country and provide spiritual guidance to the people.
Kindiki noted that many clergy members spend most of their time thinking about the needs of other people rather than themselves or their families. He explained that this is something he understands personally, having grown up in a pastor’s home.
He said that because many church leaders do not focus on seeking opportunities for their families, the government now wants to step in and offer support through proper collaboration with the church. He added that the children and dependents of clergy members should not be left behind when opportunities arise in government because their parents have dedicated their lives to serving others.
In addition to public service opportunities, Kindiki also promised that the government will assist churches that are struggling to obtain legal documents for their land and properties.
He said that title deeds are essential for churches to operate peacefully and without fear of eviction or land disputes. According to him, the government, working together with church leadership, will resolve many of the issues facing churches that lack proper land documentation.
The deputy president further said that the government will continue partnering with churches in addressing key social problems like corruption and crime. He said that although the church and the government play different roles, they share the same goal of improving the lives of Kenyans.
He referred to the church as a companion to the state, saying it plays an important role in building a better and more moral society.
However, even as the government moves to strengthen its ties with the church, recent actions by some clergy members show growing concern about political interference in religious spaces. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) recently warned religious leaders against openly supporting or opposing political leaders. They encouraged the church to remain neutral and fair to all.
In a similar move, Bishop Willybard Lagho of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi banned politicians from addressing worshippers during Mass or receiving special attention inside churches. He reminded all priests and worshippers that the church is a place of worship, not a political stage, and that everyone inside should focus on prayers and spiritual matters.
