The line between the altar and the throne in Kenya has become dangerously blurred, sparking a fierce national debate on the need to enforce a stricter separation between Church and State.

With the current administration openly courting religious leaders and turning thanksgiving services into political rallies, critics argue that the sanctity of the pulpit is being compromised for partisan gain. The result? A compromised clergy unable to hold the government accountable and a state policy increasingly driven by dogma rather than data.

The Cost of Co-option

When the church eats from the government’s hand, it loses its prophetic voice. Historical precedents in Kenya show that a neutral church was pivotal in the fight for multiparty democracy. Today, that neutrality is in question.

• Policy Influence: Concerns are rising that crucial decisions in health and education are being swayed by religious conservatism rather than scientific evidence.
• Alienation: Kenya is a secular state by Constitution. privileging one faith group alienates millions of Kenyans who belong to other religions or none at all.
• Corruption Sanctified: The donation culture in churches has often been used to launder the reputations of corrupt officials, with the clergy turning a blind eye to the source of the funds.

A Call for boundaries

Civil society groups and progressive theologians are calling for a return to constitutional order. The state must govern for all, and the church must shepherd the flock, not the ballot box. A "divorce" is necessary not out of animosity, but to save the integrity of both institutions.