Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Kenyans to get used to a churchy State House.
Speaking during a prayer session that was held at State House on Sunday, Gachagua said that State House would not stop inviting and hosting Christian evangelists, preachers and prophets.
“Nobody can lock the church out of State House. Even if security officials and government officials locked the gates, Mama Rachel will open them for you,” Gachagua said.
Some of the preachers who have been hosted at State House following the inauguration of William Ruto include Bishop Silas Yego and Prophet Victor Kusi.
Gachagua’s remarks follow concerns from the public that the new administration is attempting to convert the country into a Christian State through the back door.
During the Sunday service, President William Ruto asked the clergy to cleanse State House of evils.
“I’ll ask 30 to 40 members of the clergy to pray over this building (State House). To you all, don’t be in a hurry to leave. Walk around State House as you pray in tongues. Let everyone know that we are finally here,” said Dr. Ruto.
Responding to Ruto’s request, Bishop Mark Kariuki, who presided over the morning fellowship, said: “You’ve heard the president inviting us to walk all over this place to purify it. When we (the clergy) walk around State House, we’ll declare this ground purified. Any evil altar that may have been raised here will be paralysed in the name of Jesus Christ. We are more than 40 preachers. We’ll pray for this place until all the hiding evil forces are driven out.”
One of Dr. Ruto’s critics has been 2022 presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame. Kigame has called out President William Ruto for “overdoing religion” in his nascent administration.
“I know I will be bashed but I need to be truthful and accountable to the nation. I think the Ruto administration is overdoing religion. While we acknowledge the hand of God in bringing us this far, the presidency must observe Article 27 of the constitution,” he said.
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“I am a committed Christian who believes in prayer and believe God has helped us this far and will continue to trust Him for the future of Kenya, but I hope that issues such as lowering food prices will not be met with State House saying, ‘let’s pray about it,” Kigame added.
In Kenya, the State is considered secular with no religious preference. However, individual Kenyans are allowed to join any religion they might prefer.
According to critics, though, State House is a representation of nationhood, and should be seen as neutral.