More evangelical churches lash out at Prophet Owuor

By James Munyeki

Evangelical churches have launched a scathing attack on self-proclaimed Prophet David Owuor over his allegations that churches were engaging in corruption.

The Federation of Evangelical and Independent Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) says Dr Owuor’s claims were not only unfounded but also uncalled for.

Led by FEICCK National Chairman Bishop Joseph Methu and Organising Secretary Archbishop John Mugecha, the religious leaders described the evangelist as a lone-ranger, saying his sentiments demeaned the role churches were playing in shaping the national destiny.

Critical issues

Bishop Methu said it was unfortunate some religious leaders were spreading hate speech in public forums instead of taking such opportunities to preach peace and harmony and to address critical issues affecting the nation.

"Why can’t some religious leaders stop pretending to be ‘holier than thou’ and instead lead other Kenyans in addressing critical issues that are affecting our republic?" he posed.

He regretted the church had a noble role to play in guiding the leadership of the country, yet some church leaders had been influenced by politicians advancing personal interests through the Church.

Speaking in Nyahururu on Monday, the clergy at the same time called on the Government to address issues of national interest. They said time had come for leaders to shun empty rhetoric and deliver services.

The leaders spoke a day after their counterparts in Nyanza defended the Church against Owuor’s accusations. The more than two hundred representatives of the Church in Nyanza questioned the evangelist’s moral authority to brand them corrupt.

Last week, Owuor said in Kisumu that the church was defrauding the faithful, adding the church lost it when it became partisan in the run up to the last General Election. He also accused the church of being on the wrong side of the debate on constitution making.