The subject on the state and the church, especially touching on money, albeit critical, seems to be far from over.
Just when the debate over whether politicians should keep on donating huge sums of questionable money to churches is done with, the National Assembly is already about to make a legal proposition on having churches as part of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
This is as Suna West MP Peter Masara has now vowed to rally his colleagues in the National Assembly to support the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) (Amendment) Bill, 2019, so as to have churches allocated money from the fund.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Masara backed his proposal, citing that Kenya’s foundation was built by education and health facilities left by churches through missionaries.
“We need to include the religious groups in development. The move will help support projects of religious nature and religious bodies,” he said.
The draft Bill was handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi two weeks ago and is waiting to be published.
If it becomes law, it will allow MPs to allocate at least two percent of the total NG-CDF money in their constituencies towards religious activities.
Mr Masara is among several politicians who have come to the defence of church finances,being led Deputy President William Ruto, who said they cannot abandon the church because of where God has brought them from.
“I have a confession to make. When you see some of us go to church &pray, lift up our hands, sometimes shed tears, make this or that contribution, it is because we cannot forget where God has brought us from. I beg you to understand” ~ DP Ruto during the #NationalPrayerBreakfast pic.twitter.com/TzsIjmxlhS
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) May 30, 2019
Conversely Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege is among the few politicians who have admitted that politicians have dishonoured the church.
Sabina Chege on politicians' contributions to churches: We have dishonoured the church by going to church and talking about politics. As politicians, let us honour the altar #PrayerBreakfast2019 pic.twitter.com/g5nXbfOAaM
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) May 30, 2019