There is a disturbing silence from church leaders even with all the talk about corruption in the country.
Leading God’s people, whether they hail from Mombasa, Kapsabet or Murang’a is a humbling responsibility that requires humility, focus and selflessness.
The book of Ezekiel, which religious leaders are quite aware of, gives a clear warning to us Kenyans, that it is time we stopped treading on a dangerous path, a path abounding in recklessness and self-destruction.
Religious leaders are like shepherds. And a good shepherd will know when to water, feed and care for the flock. A good shepherd knows when to shelter the flock from rain and shine — and when to take them home. But when the shepherds fail to care for the flock they scatter like dust in the air.
But what have our religious leaders done? They have decided to keep silent on pertinent issues that are touching on the lives of the flock.
READ MORE
Irony of 'prayerful', cushioned and greedy leaders rocking the masses
When Benny Hinn affirmed government as God-ordained, he lost the people
The problem is not religiosity, but the quality
Clerics, stop coveting political seats; you belong in the pulpit
Much has been said about the suffering of innocent Kenyans. These are patriotic men and women who work tirelessly hard for the nation, their families and the society. Shameless plunder and looting of public resources has become the order of the day. It’s looks normal; when money meant for key health projects is diverted to individuals as alleged in media reports, then this society itself is in the Intensive Care Unit.
Our conscience as a society is dead, waiting for final benediction before burial. We have lost a sense of nationhood, humanity, and fear of God is no longer part of our creation. The tragedy is that even at such levels, shepherds are not raising any concerns.
God is going to hold them accountable for the loss of sheep under their stewardship. This loss includes loss of conscience in humanity. There is a lot of hatred for each other and ethnic mobilisation against different tribes. But the Shepherds are busy spectators, while others even take sides.
Not surprisingly, the flock has become stubborn no longer listen to them. Hear this: God says he will harden the hearts of the sheep to an extent that shepherds will lose their place in society.
More damning is that yes, some of our shepherds have been feeding themselves at the expense of the sheep. They have been eating the fattest sheep and clothing themselves with the wool. They slaughter the fat ones, but do not feed the sheep, which they milk dry.
The weak sheep are not strengthened, the sick are not healed and the injured, the lost and the stray are not brought back to the fold. The shepherds have lost interest in the tired-looking flock and people are seeking solace in all types of evil activities instead.
Most religious leaders drive big cars, live in the comfort of their big secured homes, take their children to high cost schools and private universities, attend the best hospitals and travel all over for holidays, all at the cost of the hungry, weak sheep. The sheep have scattered to join all types of cults, illegal groups that are a security threat. Our youth are radicalized and now worship at the altar of prostitution. They are prey for beasts.
Kenyan religious leaders aside from being greedy and selfish are distant and uncaring. They humiliate their people in front of others, instead of tenderly and sensitively restoring them.
They look upon difficult people in their flocks as trouble-makers to be opposed and destroyed, instead of brethren to be brought back. The result is that the people of God suffer – at the hands of those who should be giving them care.
The author is an ordained Canon in the Anglican Church of Kenya and Vicar of ACK St Phillips Jericho Parish, Nairobi.
