Western Kenya clergy call for repentance over ‘collapse of morals’

Bishops Winnie Owiti and Ogonyo Ngede address the Press at Kosele Police Station in Homa Bay County Tuesday. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Some members of the clergy in Western region have asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to lead the country to national repentance to cleanse it from the "immorality" eating the Government.

Referring to recent claims of sexual harassment against members of the National Assembly, the clergy compared Kenya to the biblical days of the prophet Jeremiah when the people rejected the oracles of God.

Speaking to The Standard in Kisumu, Nyanza Council of Churches Chairman Ogonyo Ngede criticised the President for failing to act decisively on what he termed a "loss of values" among leaders serving under him.

Reports indicate that at least 20 MPs in the Senate and in the National Assembly have been accused of involvement in scandals ranging from corruption, brawls and rape. The head of Voice of Salvation Ministries Church said the Government was being negligent.

"The Government was constituted on the basis of 'kusema na kutenda' (saying and doing) but the issues facing the country today expose some leniency," said Bishop Ngede.

"Women are considered angels in the Bible and when such allegations come up with such frequency, the President must stand up and lead the country in seeking spiritual intervention," he added.

RECALL GOVERNMENT

Bishop Beneah Salala of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Mumias Diocese, described the situation as a "collapse of morals".

Salala, who blamed Kenyans for not considering the moral history of leaders before electing them, asked the President to use his position to save the country or allow Kenyans to recall the Government.

"How can a country be proud to be led by people constantly suspected of rape, theft, corruption and ethnicity? We need repentance," he said.