As the 2021 general elections draw closer, the EAPC church leaders in Tigania West and Tigania East have sounded a warning to politicians to stop campaigning at funeral gatherings.
Rev Francis, general overseer of EAPC churches in Tigania West and East said some politicians have turned gatherings especially the funerals as campaigning platforms which have become a big concern.
He told BaiteTv that politicians who come to the funerals with intentions of campaigning is a total disrespect to the deceased and family in grief.
“We’ve come to an agreement with other church leaders to condemn politicians who address politics at funerals. We want to allow them to continue attending funerals, but we also want to make them aware that funerals are not political events.
Politicians who wish to engage in political discussions should hold political rallies. We are issuing a warning to politicians that if they do not respect the church, we will persuade the congregation to vote against them in elections and prevent them from attending our churches. They should avoid hurling insults at one another in churches,” said Rev Francis, general overseer EAPC churches in Tigania West and East.
“When politicians are given the opportunity to speak on television, we have seen them throw insults at each other, which is disrespectful to the bereaved family.
I implore politicians to respect the dead and allow them to be buried in peace. Funerals should not be used to complain about the poor condition of the roads and other issues.
Kenya is a democratic country and politicians are free to hold political rallies.
Politicians have a habit of publicly insulting each other and leaving their supporters fighting. They are, however, good friends in their private lives.
I implore MCAs in Mashinani to prioritize Christianity over politics and their political achievements will be successful in the end. When we put politics ahead of the church, God will be angry with us, and our plans may not go as planned,” said Rev Alexander Mwiti, secretary to EAPC churches in Tigania West and East.
“I’m glad the funeral went smoothly today and that we were able to lay the deceased to rest as planned. However, I’d like to remind politicians that funerals and church services are not political rallies.
Campaign rallies will be held and politicians will be free to insult one another as they please, but not in places of worship. Politicians should perform acts of kindness, such as visiting and assisting bereaved families. God will shower them with favor,” said Cyrus, an elder at EAPC church.
“When politicians are invited to speak at funerals and church services, I’ve noticed that they insult one another, attack one another, and try to show that they are more capable than other politicians.
My request to them is that they wait until the services have concluded before venting their frustrations outside the church. It’s unfortunate that we saw MPs fighting on television.
Politicians should not begin campaigning yet because it will jeopardize development. They should give a break to the current elected leaders until the time comes to elect a new leader.
I would like to see Kenyan politics change because when an elected leader wants to start a project that will benefit the community, other leaders work hard to shoot it down for political reasons. There has been no progress in the community, said Edward Kobia,” senior elder at EAPC
