Churches and religious leaders have been put on the spot and asked to join the fight against corruption. Imagine sitting through a church sermon on corruption? Most of Pentecostal churches have sermons around such topics but that is not the case with many other denominations.
Religious leaders have now been advised to adopt national values in their teachings to help combat corruption.
According to Archbishop Stephen Marete of the National Independent Church of Africa, education and adoption of national values in religious teachings is vital in order to foster a joint fight against corruption.
The Archbishop was speaking in Nairobi during a Multi Sectoral Initiative (MSI) conference that drew leaders from the government, trade unions, civil society and media.
“Majority of the nation’s population considers themselves as religiously inclined and hence religious leaders are the tipping point of noticeable change in society,” a joint statement from the leaders said.
“MSI has full confidence in the Inter Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) from a national to the grass root level to carry out and effective change and have an unshakable stance against the vice that is corruption,” it added.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) in September adopted a Bible Study guide ‘Integrity: A Weapon Against Corruption’, which is in partnership with the Inter-Religious Sector to boost its fight against corruption.
EPSA Foundation Chair, Lee Karuri said that they discussed the different forms of corruption with a view of having every person play a role in eradicating graft.
Sheikh Mohammed of SUPKEM said that although we affiliate to different religious beliefs we are all united in shared morals.
“The virtues of integrity, honesty and personal responsibility are universal truths that apply regardless of religion, creed and skin colour,” he said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has also repeatedly said the fight against corruption will be his biggest legacy.
“I have lost close friends over the war on corruption. We must be ready to lose friends and do what is right in the eyes of God,” said President Kenyatta adding that the country stands on the threshold of transformation.
Do you think the Church should meddle in matters of national importance?