Give us government jobs, Bishops tell Ruto as church coffers run dry

After President William Ruto rewarded political loyalists with plum government positions, clerics now want the Head of State to consider them too in fulfilment of his campaign promises.

Bishop William Kotut of AIC Baringo did not mince his words when he found an opportunity to ask Ruto to appoint him alongside other men and women of cloth to his government.

"As you give out jobs, consider me too. Archbishop Eliud Wabukala is the chair of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Clerics have great brains. Consider them," said Bishop Kotut.

He said the clergymen and women should be given offices that will not require a lot of background checks on them.

"These people are educated. They can sit in commissions that do not require a lot of vetting. We shall spread the gospel as we eat from such State assignments. Who doesn't want to eat?" he said.

Also read: The role of religion in Ruto's campaigns.

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Fewer weddings

The bishop said weddings from where they used to earn some income have become fewer due to a high rate of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth who are no longer interested in marriage.

"With drugs and second-generation brews, the number of weddings from which we get something small have reduced. They have become so few that it is us now begging church members to tie the knot," he said.

"We even convince old men and women who got married long time ago to solemnise their weddings just to have such events and set the pace for the youth."

Bishop Kotut said young men no longer make effort to woo girls to marry them. Instead, they are only watching them from a distance and making vague comments.

"They fear girls so much that they can't approach them. Things are bad. If this continues, we will lose Sunday School and choirs. There won't be anyone to teach CBC," he said.

Kotut said the clergy should be treated like other ordinary citizens when it comes to empowerment programmes, adding that they too struggle.

"In the Hustler Fund, the mama mbogas and boda boda were largely mentioned. I am not very sure if pastors were mentioned. We too are struggling to put food on the table," he said.

Misappropriation

As he urged the local youth and women to form groups and SACCOs to qualify for the fund, Kotut warned them against misappropriation, especially on the mouthwatering Baringo goat meat.

"We know that our roasted meat is very sweet. If you spend credit extended to you on the meat and other pleasures you will have it rough when the government comes for repayment," he said.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah said the clergy deserve State positions for their contribution in Ruto's election.

"Bishop Kotut has requested for a job. Mr President, I appeal to you to give him and other clergymen and women something to do in government. They really supported you. You agree with me that you wouldn't have become President without their prayers," said Ichung'wah.

President Ruto assured the clergy that he would include them in his government but took issue with Kotut's plea for "soft vetting".

"We will work together for Kenya. However, let me correct you. You people don't have any blemish, so vetting should not be a concern to you. We have people who have problems with vetting," said Ruto.