By John Oywa and Kepher Otieno

Prime Minister Raila Odinga differed with an Anglican Church cleric in public over the performance of the Grand Coalition Government.

Raila used a memorial service for his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, to criticise the church for using religious privileges to condemn the Government.

He defended the Government’s performance, saying it should be given more time.

Anglican Bishop David Kodia had said the Government has failed Kenyans.

Dr Kodia claimed it had not only failed to fight corruption, but had also not delivered on promises made.

Delivering a sermon during the service at Nyamira ACK Church in Bondo, Kodia described the performance of the Government as "dismal".

But Raila hit out at Kodia for using the pulpit to incite his flock against the Government.

"You should not attack from the pulpit because the accused may not have the right of reply," the PM said.

He said neither PNU nor ODM should be singled out for blame for shortcomings in the Government.

"Our people must understand that this Government is an arrangement forced by circumstances," he explained.

He said some critics puzzled him: "This Government is only ten months old and yet some people claim it has failed."

He went on: "We cannot make all the roads and instal electricity throughout the country in such a short period."

Raila said it was wrong for some leaders to criticise the Coalition Government because of promises made during the campaigns.

"This is not the Government the ODM promised Kenyans. Our people must understand that we are in this Government because of circumstances beyond our control," said Raila.