Addressing a congregation at PCEA Muteero Kerarapon Church in Kajiado County, Gachagua expressed concern over what he sees as intimidation of clergy members by government officials.
During his speech, Gachagua reminded the government of past mistakes, particularly during the rule of former President Daniel arap Moi, who faced criticism for allegedly oppressing religious leaders.
He warned that if the government continues down a similar path, it could harm its relationship with faith-based communities.
Gachagua emphasized that the church is an important institution that deserves independence and freedom from government interference.
“We must respect the freedom of worship, the freedom of expression, and the freedom of speech,” Gachagua said.
He criticized the government for using local administrators, such as chiefs, to meddle in church affairs and cautioned against attempting to control church messages.
According to him, pastors and other religious leaders know how to guide their congregations without government direction.
In his address, Gachagua was joined by prominent figures, including former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala and Members of Parliament Gathoni wa Muchomba and Wanjiku wa Muhia.
These allies stood by his message, supporting his call for the government to respect the church’s role in society.
Gachagua described the church as “the voice of God” and urged the administration to listen carefully to its concerns.
Tensions between the government and religious leaders have been growing. Recently, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) criticized President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of promoting a “culture of lies” and failing to deliver on promises important to Kenyan citizens.
Issues such as high taxation, rising unemployment, and the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) have been highlighted by religious leaders as areas where the government has fallen short.
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