The sanctuary has become a battlefield. With barely a year to the next General Election, the pulpit is no longer a place of refuge but a theater of political warfare. The recent teargassing of worshipers at Witima ACK Church in Othaya marks a dangerous escalation, signaling that in the fight for the soul of the nation, nothing—not even God’s house—is sacred.

The incident, which left elderly congregants choking on fumes and children wailing in terror, was ostensibly a police operation to disperse an "illegal gathering" attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. But for the clergy, it was an act of sacrilege. "We have returned to the dark days where the state boot kicks down the church door," lamented Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, who was present during the chaos.

The Pulpit as a Soapbox

The church, however, is not entirely blameless. For years, the clergy has accepted the "thirty pieces of silver" in the form of harambee donations, allowing politicians to turn sermons into campaign rallies. By selling the microphone to the highest bidder, the church effectively invited the chaos in. Now, as the political temperature rises, the church finds itself unable to control the demons it helped feed.

• The ACK Warning: The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has issued a stern warning against fueling divisiveness, but their voice is drowned out by the noise of teargas canisters. The moral authority of the church is fraying, compromised by its proximity to power.
• A Nation Divided: The Othaya incident has polarized the country. To the opposition, it is proof of a dictatorship in the making. To the government’s supporters, it is necessary enforcement of law and order. But to the ordinary Kenyan, it is a terrifying preview of the violence that could characterize the 2027 election cycle.

Reclaiming the Sanctuary

As political factions retreat to re-strategize, the clergy faces a reckoning. Can they reclaim the altar from the politicians? Or will the church remain a hostage, used as a human shield in the proxy wars of the political elite? The tear gas at Witima has cleared, but the stain on the nation’s conscience remains visible for all to see.