Tuju tells church leaders to fight ethnicity

BY KEN-ARTHUR WEKESA and Robert Nyasato

Former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju has urged the church to be at the forefront in the crusade against ethnic polarisation that is being propagated by politicians ahead of the coming polls.

Mr Tuju, who will be contesting for presidency on Party of Action (POA) ticket, decried perpetual tolerance of the clergy on a crop of the ruling class whose strategy for State House was hinged on polarising the nation.

Said he; “The reason our democracy almost collapsed in the last electoral exercise was because men of cloth succumbed to the cancer of tribalism. Kikuyus, Luos and Kamba leaders all prayed for their own to become president.”

Speaking Sunday during a church service at Jubilee Christian Centre (JCC) Nairobi, Tuju appealed to the congregation to shun leaders who are known to fuel ethnic intolerance ahead of every election.

“Christians should rise above voting along ethnic lines. Don’t vote for a candidate just because he is from your community,” said Tuju.

The presidential aspirant pointed an accusing finger at the electorate for perpetuating the culture of handouts from politicians to vote for them.

“It is the very reason those elected will loot from the public purse to sustain the culture of vote buying as in the case of National Hospital and Insurance Fund, (NHIF) currently marred with despicable acts of corruption,” he said.

Tuju, who lauded the disbandment of the board and NHIF management, said some powerful politicians within Government were using the scheme as a cash cow for raising funds for coming elections and called for immediate probe.

Track record
“It is grossly immoral and unacceptable for such leaders who are also behind the escalating fuel prices to be allowed to take over this nation for they will take it to the dogs,” he said.

Pastor Joseph Kyuna of JCC appealed to the congregation to vote for leaders who are God fearing, principled and have a proven development track record.

“Some presidential candidates have served over three uninterrupted terms as MPs and have nothing to show for it. If they haven’t been faithful as MPs, they should not be entrusted with a big office such as that of the president, this is just but a principle of stewardship,” said Kyuna.

Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Mutava Musyimi has called on Kenyans to elect leaders with clear policies and values.

Addressing Democratic Party (DP) delegates from Kisii and Nyamira counties in Kisii  town at the weekend, the Gachoka MP told Kenyans to vote for leaders of integrity, competence and honesty whom they will entrust with political power and resources.

He said Kenyan politics was based on privilege, power and money, which should change if the country is to develop. Musyimi challenged the public to elect a president who will spearhead reforms in public institutions to improve their image and service delivery.