Meru clergy vow to continue taking dirty money from politicians then 'cleanse it'

The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) Meru branch has resolved to continue receiving ‘tainted' money from Kenyan politicians.

The clergymen argued politicians are also members of the congregation, therefore, cannot be denied the opportunity to give.

The Chairperson Meru NCCK coordinating committee Bishop Justin Bundi said only the givers of such money and God knows the source of the money being given.

"We cannot deny them an opportunity to give. The church leaders may not know the source of money being given in church by congregants, only the giver and God knows," Bundi said.

Bundi said the unknown source of the money is the reason churches always sanctify all contributions congregants give.

“This is the reason the Church will always pray for the sanctification of all the contributions after the congregants give,” he said.

He said the church will hold politicians with the same regard as other congregants.

However, Bundi said the church will not allow politicians to play politics on the pulpit even though some of them are church leaders.

“While some of them are church leaders and preachers, they must not use the pulpit to play politics. This is why the church will be keen to be in control,” Bundi said.

This decision to take politicians’ money and sanctify it contradicts the decision made by NCCK Upper Eastern region last year that cautioned all faith leaders to avoid asking for donations from politicians.

The Upper Eastern region chairperson Bishop Jadiel Kiogongi while issuing the advisory argued politicians engage in political vitriol and divisive campaigns once they are asked for donations.