Bishop Njiriri: Ruto should climb down to the level of the common mwananchi

Bishop Samuel Njiriri of Stewards Revival Ministry. (Courtesy)

Bishop Samuel Njiriri of Stewards Revival Ministry is the chairman of the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya which endorsed President Ruto in 2022. He shared his thoughts about the ongoing Gen Z demonstrations and says the Head of State has abandoned the Church.

Why is the country in the current mess?

A lot of issues have contributed to the current state of affairs but poor decision making by the political class is the main contributor. When these demonstrations started, the whole country was in support because the Finance Bill 2024 was bad for the country. Fortunately President William Ruto dropped it. We supported it fully initially. But presently, it seems there are some people who are pushing it with ill motives.

Is it true that President Ruto has detached himself from some church leaders?

Generally, it is small churches that supported the president and voted for him. His main campaign was about the hustler narrative and the hustlers feel he has not done much for them.

People feel he must do more. Some leaders of the mainstream churches, who were against the president during the campaigns, were the first to congratulate him when he was declared winner. There are those who go to meet him at State House but start attacking him soon after they come out. Those of us down here feel bad and we want the president to climb down to our level.

His symbol in the campaign was a wheelbarrow, which implied he is a person who cares for the poor and humble. We have more numbers tha those who are seeking attention at State House. There are many umbrella bodies like ours which fully endorsed Ruto and we are not hypocrites.

Has the federation and churches under it tried reaching the president?

Unfortunately, some of the mainstream churches use different umbrella bodies claiming that they represent all churches yet it is not true. They are just out there to hoodwink the country.

Did the president sign an agreement with some church leaders?

We prayed with the president and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with him and he needs to honour what we agreed upon. One of the things we agreed on was that churches should be separated from the Society Act because, as it is, churches are registered as companies.

We need another body that should be dealing with church matters purely. Ruto seems to have forgotten that after getting elected. When he was Deputy President, he used to visit the small churches but we don't see him these days. He should climb down.

There are talks about churches being used as money laundering platforms. Is that true?

There are many unscrupulous characters in all sectors, including preachers, doctors, teachers, lawyers and all professions. But there are good people who mean good in whatever they do. Those are the majority who wanted change having been oppressed for long. They are the people who voted this regime to office.

Has the Church failed in guiding the nation?

We have been guiding our people well. We are guiding them now and we don't support what is happening. The president is the symbol of national unity and we blessed him. The Bible tells us to pray for those who are in leadership so that the country can be peaceful.

At the moment we condemn those who are still participating in demonstrations because those who fear the Lord will avoid extremes. We also know there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. The president is human being and he can sin. People should pray for him.

What is the president supposed to do now that the country is in a mess?

There are criminals, including politicians, who have taken over the revolt. In fact, amid the ongoing protests, the Members of Parliament (MPs) have increased their salaries. The same people sat down in the Budget Committee and decided to increase the Constituency Development Fund by millions. Where do they expect the money to come from?

The politicians are the ones who are playing with our minds. We elected President Ruto because he said he is a son of a peasant. Sadly, he lost direction election but we are urging him not to forget where he came from.

How did the President overlook small churches?

During the campaigns, some politicians had threatened to close some small churches but these ones are the majority with a huge following. Back then Ruto could visit those churches to worship but he stopped after getting elected that is why he should now climb down. Those who are saying politicians should not be allowed in church are wrong because the politicians are also worshipers and human beings and need spiritual nourishment.

Gen Zs say politicians should not be allowed to defile the pulpits. What is your take?

There are those who genuinely give in support of the ministry and should not be denied that opportunity. You cannot separate church and politics because even Jerusalem, according to the Holy Book, was built by King Solomon. Displaying wealth when others are suffering is like puking on others. The president should just fight graft.

There have been reports of an icy relationship between the president and his deputy. What do you think about that?

That is not good for the country because we voted for both of them. The president needs to reconcile with his deputy and work together with him.

What is the best way to calm down the GenZs?

This generation cannot be calmed down because this is the digital age. They meet online and thus the best way is for the State to create jobs for them, because most of them are idle. As parents, we need to tame children and show them the right way from a tender age. Another option is to counsel them because they want to unseat the elders, even though some of them have genuine reasons.

The country has witnessed brutality and killing of demonstrators. What is the way forward?

Killing is not good. The state should know that it is not good for the country, because if young people are killed, then we are losing the future. The police should not use excessive force in punishing those that stray. Training our police to kill is really bad.

Is the president supposed to have a spiritual leader?

He should have a spiritual leader but there is a national altar at Sate House where he prays. His faith is currently being tested and he needs to stand firm.