DP Ruto meets pastors from Meru

About 300 pastors and six MPs from Meru on Tuesday met Deputy President William Ruto where they vowed to ensure the church in Kenya is actively engaged in the country’s politics.

The prayer meeting at the DP’s Karen home was organised by the Meru Ministers Forum which is chaired by Bishop Edward Buria, a close ally of Governor Kiraitu Murungi.

Father David Kaberia, an influential priest in Meru, who is also a close ally of Mr Kiraitu was also among the front seat ministers at the fellowship.

The pastors were accompanied by MPs Moses Kirima (Imenti Central), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Josphat Kabeabea (Tigania East), Kubai Iringo (Igembe Central) and JohnPaul Mwirigi (Igembe South).

Bishop Buria, who gave a sermon during the meeting, was prophetic saying the Lord will honor his word in the ‘season that is coming’.

The deputy president emphasised the need for lasting friendships quoting a Bible verse that says "two cannot walk together unless they agree".

A pastor, who attended the meeting, said they had been invited by the DP to pray for him saying there was no room for politics.

“As pastors, we also want to have a voice because we are leaders in this country. However, the deputy president was clear that he is not afraid of opposition,” Pastor Isaiah Naibocha of Tigania Pastors fellowship said.

Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri said they agreed that there should be no separation between church and politics.

“We agreed that we will continue praying and going to church where those who don’t matter are. The church must be actively involved in the destiny of this country. It should not be left to the corrupt,” Mr Rindikiri said.

Tigania West John Mutunga, who is also a Methodist preacher, said the Karen prayer meetings are in keeping with the old testament church.

“According to the Bible, the meetings are in keeping with the old church which was built by kings. The church can also work with our political leaders,” Dr Mutunga said.

 Imenti Central MP Moses Kirima who is also an ordained priest in the AIPCA church said the clergy was offering prayers because the DP has been supportive of the church.

His Tigania East counterpart Josphat Kabeabea said the prayers were timely coming at a time when ‘the system’ was going hard on the DP.

“The church is watching and has seen that the DP has been sidelined. We have to turn to God,” Mr Kabeabea said.

The meeting comes even as Meru legislators continued to express dissatisfaction with the Jubilee administration on implementation of development projects in the county.

They also faulted the national government over ‘skewed’ allocation of major projects in the Mount Kenya region.