In a dramatic move that has stirred debate, Anglican Archbishop Ole Sapit has prohibited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies from addressing congregants during church services. The decision was announced during a service at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Makadara, Nairobi County, where the consecration and enthronement of Ven. Canon Jonathan Kabiru as the 3rd Bishop of the ACK Nairobi Diocese was taking place.

During the service, Archbishop Sapit made it clear that political speeches are not allowed within the church’s sanctuary.

“There will be no opportunity for any political leader to have a speech in the church. We will mention their names, they will wave their hands, if they so wish to speak to the congregants. It will be done outside of the sanctuary,” he stated.

Sapit emphasized that this directive is not a one-off measure but will continue on subsequent Sundays across all Anglican dioceses and their churches.

The decision comes amid ongoing concerns over the mingling of politics and religion. The former Deputy President, Gachagua, along with other political figures such as former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, were present when the order was issued.

This is not the first instance of such a ban. In September 2021, amid the run-up to the 2022 general elections, Archbishop Sapit had previously directed Anglican churches to prevent politicians from using pulpits for political speech. Similar measures have been echoed by Catholic leaders, with the Catholic Archbishop of Mombasa, Martin Kivuva, banning politicians from speaking during mass.

The move has ignited discussions about the appropriate boundaries between religious observance and political discourse, with supporters arguing that church services should remain a space for worship and reflection, free from political influence.