Let the clergy stop the political cheerleading

 Church leaders can choose to be a gadfly for politicians who divide us. [iStockphoto]

An American preacher has touched many hearts by rallying Kenyans to fight for peace as they ride the post-election storms.

New York's Chris Ball is emphatic that much as we differ on political choices, no one thrives in isolation. Simply put, our destiny rests on all of us. Citing places where shattered human ties have pushed many people into keeping pets to find a semblance of comfort, Ball says we should show genuine love to those we disagree with.

I found his sermon delivered days ago at my church in Pefa Donholm refreshing if not calming as we face numerous 'opaque' issues, including deep election scars and the biting cost of living. Ball's word sowed seeds of hope. Then there was Deacon Gikonyo who seemed out of sync with the country's mood. He replayed unhelpful rhetoric from the campaign trail. "We were told of the system that was to manipulate things...," he said, his message clad in pessimism. Perhaps he was deliberately obtuse.

Like in "The fortunate arrival of Gordaunt in the very nick of time," as Sir Walter Scott wrote in The Pirate in 1821, the US preacher's sermon was an apt deviation from the vitriol some clerics have spewed in recent times while seeking to politically align with stars.

A time like this, messages that take the country forward are an inch perfect. The church can be the epitome of hope where there's gloom. The clergy must have the guts to spiritually police our democracy beyond being 'flower girls' that chant prayers at manifesto launches, home-comings and other political rituals without questioning what's in them.

Our unsavoury history with injustices tells that faith leader shouldn't placate us by gracing flashy political events, some of which only help sanitise malevolent behaviours and schemes by the political elite. It's why the church is ill at ease with itself as the election fur continues to fly. In rooting for a selfless faith, Archbishop of San Salvador Oscar Romero once said when the church hears the cry of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises. The clergy can embrace this sacred datum and not be blinded by political partisanship that tear the flock apart.

In my view, church leaders can choose to be a gadfly for politicians who divide us. They don't have to rush into associations and roles that imply vested interests or suggest they simply want to be in the good books with political formations for vain material gain.

At the altar of greed that pushes some clerics to seek these unholy unions, we crucify biblical traditions that inspire them to speak truth to power. Last week, we saw a drab shuttle diplomacy to William Ruto and Raila Odinga's homes days after the Bomas drama of August 15. It roused doubts in court of public opinion. Some say the men of cloth did it for the cameras.

Now, the clergy must do more to look genuine. Recall the days of Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki, Kipsang Muge and Henry Okullu who could speak truth to power? They weren't cozy with powerbrokers.

Truth is, we need true healing. Bishop Paul Habwe is on point when he tells Kenyans to pray for political formations they detest. Habwe says as the top court handles the presidential petition, it would help if Kenya Kwanza supporters prayed for Azimio followers and vice versa.

Yes, the church in Kenya should boldly confront our divisions to end our misery. Martin Luther King Jnr once said religion that focusses on souls but ignores injustices that cripple them is dry-as-dust religion. Leviticus 19:15 and James 2:2-4 challenge leaders to govern the people without partiality. The clergy must thus make their voices heard in a sober debate on moving the country forward. It can't be business as usual.

Vested interests should not supersede national interests. The religious community must add value to governance through watchdogging and by making solid inputs that will stand the test of time. The world is watching.

The writer is an editor at The Standard. Twitter: @markoloo