Kenyans urged to uphold peace during Easter

As Christians celebrate the Easter holiday, Kenyans across the country have been urged to maintain peace and order. 

African Independent Pentecostal Church (AIPCA) Presiding Archbishop Samson Muthuri said the best way to celebrate and remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was by loving each other.

Muthuri also urged politicians to emulate AIPCA, saying the church had united after many years of chaos and confrontations.

"We have been fighting among ourselves, but by the grace of God we are now together. We have agreed that never again will our members confront each other," he said.

Speaking during the consecration of the holy oil at Bahati Cathedral church, Muthuri, who was accompanied by Archbishop David Njuguna and Fredrick Wang'ombe applauded the government for its effort to bring sanity in the church. 

"I am appealing to all faithfuls to seek peace during this Easter season; the death of Jesus brought hope to many of us, we should therefore love each other and be good to each other.

Let us pray for the whole AIPCA Church, that there may be a great sense of unity of purpose. For the larger church, let this be a fresh start for us as a church, to resolve our differences" said Muthuri.

He said at one time, AIPCA is respected and admired, with its schools producing the best students. He said church also has members who stood out in their communities and emulated good leadership. 

"I urge all of us to reflect on why we are members in this church, why we are serving in this church. And as you do, you will see that we all have one vision, one goal – to glorify God in all we do, as we spread the love of Christ to all around us," added the Archbishop.

For decades, AIPCA Church has been in the limelight following endless leadership wrangles.

Following the wrangles, the church had three Archbishops. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is on record trying to mediate and unite the church.

During the mediation talks, it was agreed that the three leaders should each of them serve for a duration of one year respectively.

Archbishop Amos Njoroge was the first to serve for the first year, followed by Archbishop Muthuri and later Fredrick Wang'ombe, in a deal that was arbitrated by Uhuru Kenyatta.