Bishop Bars Oscar Sudi, Politicians from Speaking in Church

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and other political figures faced rare resistance on Sunday, April 13, after a Presbyterian Church leader in Githunguri barred them from addressing the congregation during a church fundraiser.

Sudi was among a group of politicians who had attended a fundraising event at PCEA Githaithi Church to support the construction of a new sanctuary. However, their anticipated speeches were cut short when presiding bishop Peter Kinyanjui firmly declared that the pulpit was off-limits to political messaging.

“As you have seen in the country in recent months, the PCEA church was among the first to say that politicians should not speak at the pulpit,” Bishop Kinyanjui said.

He specifically cited Sudi, warning that allowing politicians to speak often diverts attention from the spiritual message of the day.

“Why? Because politicians will bring other agendas. For example, if I bring out Sudi, he will speak on other issues, and the church sermon will be forgotten,” the bishop stated.

He further cautioned against politicians publicizing their donations during church services, insisting that such acts shift the focus from faith to political theatrics.

Despite the public reprimand, Sudi was later seen speaking privately to the bishop, seemingly pleading for a brief moment to address the congregation. The bishop eventually allowed him a short turn at the microphone.

In a surprising twist, Sudi agreed with the bishop’s tough stance, acknowledging that politicians were to blame for politicizing the church.

“Bishop, you've enforced what I’ve been thinking about all this while,” Sudi said. “It is us politicians who have spoilt it for ourselves because we talk politics in church.”