Ruto silent as noose tightens around Gachagua's neck

President William Ruto has maintained studious silence in the wake of impeachment woes facing his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Appearing in public for the second time yesterday since the process of kicking out the DP begun more than a week ago, Ruto steered clear of the talk amidst heightened calls for his intervention to put the matter to rest. 

Ruto attended a church service at Nairobi’s AIC Milimani, where he instead, assured that there will be no compromise on the freedom to worship in the country.

The debate to impeach Gachagua gained momentum while the president was in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting and even upon his return, Ruto has not uttered a word on the subject, which is uncharacteristic of his renowned strong viewpoints on issues affecting the country.

Similarly, on his social media pages, the president has concentrated on his Kenya Kwanza Government’s promise to ‘deliver the plan’ while highlighting progress made in different sectors of the economy so far.

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“This Sunday morning, I thank God for our country for the many things he has done for us. The blessings of the rain, our farmers and the many things that God has done for us so that we can be able to feed our nation. For the peace and tranquility in our nation, I want to thank God for our nation,” he said, as he introduced First Lady Rachel and daughter who accompanied him to church yesterday.

He added: “It is good to know the purposes of God in our lives so that we can pursue and accomplish what God has planned for each one of us. In everything we do, in business, service or leadership, that we may seek to know God’s will and to pursue and attain and ask God to help us to achieve that which is in His perfect design and destiny.”

The National Assembly is expected to review and collate views it received during the two-day public participation exercise, which was characterised by divergent opinions on whether or not the deputy president should be impeached or not, ahead of tomorrow's sittings.

But even with the prevailing political situation, the president yesterday sought to assure the place of church in the country.

Amid proposals to introduce a code of conduct for religious institutions, the president affirmed that the government will not regulate religious activities in the country.

“I know there are proposals that have been made in some quarters about regulation of the church, worship and religious activities. I want to remind those who are pursuing that kind of exercise that the constitution is very explicit on the freedom of worship and there will be no compromise whatsoever,” the president said.

He also gave assurance to the church and to religious institutions in Kenya that the government will defend the rights and freedoms of worship, which he said will not be compromised in whatever manner.

“There will be no limitation whatsoever on the freedom of worship in Kenya because apart from what the Constitution provides, we are a God-fearing nation, and we will equally defend our faith as Christians, as different religions we will make sure that we protect the freedom of worship in Kenya,” he affirmed.

He urged religious leaders to develop policies on how to regulate themselves and religious organisations going forward.

“I want to ask those who have ideas to allow religious leaders themselves to develop how they want to regulate themselves and how religious organizations are going to go forward because that was the recommendation of the task force I appointed under Rev Mutava Musyimi. That the religious bodies in Kenya will decide how they want to make sure that the freedom of worship is protected,” he said.

A section of religious leaders has shown discontent with the Religious Organisations Bill 2024 and urged the Government not to implement it.

Among other issues, the Bill seeks to introduce taxes on income, gifts, or profits generated from the church but this has been described as punitive and uncalled for.

According to the Bill, offerings, tithes, donations, bequests and gifts granted to religious organizations shall only be exempt from taxation where they demonstrate that such income is for purposes beneficial to the society.

The Bill also states that every religious and umbrella organization shall furnish, annually, to an Authority, returns which includes audited accounts for the financial year, a register of members indicating changes in their number, providing details of new ones and those who have ceased to be.

Similarly, the Bill proposes a fine of Sh5 million, three years in jail, or both for any religious leader who operates an unregistered organization.

Different religious organizations have also called for its withdrawal to allow for a comprehensive consultation process.

Last month, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor clarified that the Government was not behind the bill, which has caused an uproar among religious leaders.