It’s Sunday, so most politicians and top leaders hide out in churches to display how “Christ-like” and “humble” they are after a week of insults and political drama.
The interdenominational church service was held in Ildamat Stadium in Kajiado county, and was attended by President Ruto, the Deputy President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the Governors of Kajiado, Narok, and Isiolo counties.
The AIC Kapsowar Township church building was opened by Kipchumba Murkomen, cabinet secretary for Roads and transportation.
The CS tweeted about the official ceremony, including a photo of the church and its surroundings, which elicited a range of responses from Kenyans and even government officials.
According to the photo that CS Murkomen posted online, the church was a state-of-the-art structure that included elaborate decorations and a high-priced roof. The tall building is the only structure of its kind in the neighbourhood.
Kenyans on Twitter were taken aback by the fact that the villagers in the area around the church presumably lack access to basic services like schools and hospitals.
Several people have commented on the post, asking why it’s so much simpler to raise money by taxing the poor and then use that money to construct churches, while providing basic services like schools, hospitals, water stations, and roads seems to give the government and its leaders such sleepless nights.
David Ndii, chairman of Ruto’s economic council, raised similar concerns, wondering why it’s so difficult to expand other development initiatives like dispensaries and schools to serve Kenyans living in remote locations.
In response, city-based attorney Ahmednasir Abudullahi said that while constructing religious buildings such as churches, mosques, and temples is not inherently immoral, doing so in economically disadvantaged areas without first assessing the needs of the community may be a mistaken priority.
“Churches,mosques,temples & other places of worship are important. But when that mosque, Church or temple is the most imposing building in the hood & worshippers live in shanties & ironsheet houses then the church, mosque and temple are not the right priority for that community.” Said Ahmednasir Abudullahi.
