NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for religious leaders to offer constructive criticism to the government with love, as tensions between faith-based organizations and the state continue to rise.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday during a national evangelical revival, Kindiki emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony between the church and government for the betterment of the country.
Joining clerics from across Kenya in prayer and reflection, Kindiki acknowledged the vital spiritual role that religious institutions play in national affairs.
He expressed gratitude for the church’s prayers for the government, quoting the Bible, “There is no authority except that which God has established,” reinforcing the idea of cooperation between the two entities.
In his address, the Deputy President sought to quell growing tensions between the government and the church, clarifying that both the state and religious institutions have distinct but complementary roles in society.
“There is no contest between the king and the prophets. These are separate offices with different responsibilities that should support each other, not compete,” he stated.
Kindiki further appealed to the church to speak out when the government makes mistakes but urged them to do so in a spirit of love and understanding.
“Please correct us when we go wrong—but correct us in love,” he said. “Don’t engage us as though, beyond the correction, there are other underlying issues. That only breeds unnecessary tension.”
Acknowledging the recent friction between the government and some religious groups, Kindiki warned that such discord could be detrimental to the nation’s progress.
“We’ve seen tensions between the government and churches, and that’s not good for any country,” he remarked. “We are a listening government—correct us with love and we will make adjustments where necessary.”
His comments come amidst a growing rift between political leaders and religious institutions, with some churches moving to ban political speeches and donations in worship spaces in a bid to preserve their sanctity.
