This archive report was first published on 12 September 2021.
Published on September 12, 2021, a conversation about the role of religious institutions in shaping political leadership has refused to dissipate. In recent debates on national television, religious leaders have reinforced the perception that politics should be conducted outside the precincts of religious altars.
However, Governor Joseph ole Lenku of Kajiado County has a different perspective. He believes that politics is not inherently dirty and that religious institutions can play a crucial role in mentoring and forming secular leadership.
Lenku's vision is rooted in his personal experience. When he first wanted to run for a parliamentary seat, his Church elders cautioned him, 'siasa itaharibu wewe' (politics will ruin you). He ran and lost, but he believes that this experience taught him the importance of servant leadership.
Lenku is not alone in his views. Bishop Emeritus of CITAM, Dr. David Oginde, has also expressed similar sentiments. He argues that if people with the right orientation to servant leadership shy away from political leadership, then who will clean the dirt therein?
Lenku's proposal is to harness like-minded leaders from both religious and secular realms to push the idea of mentoring secular leadership into action. This initiative has the potential to see transformative leadership in key national platforms, right from the grassroots.
It's time for well-meaning Kenyans to support this initiative and for the Church to reclaim its rightful role in shepherding the laity in the ways of light, including politics and politicians.
