Evangelical bishops in Kenya have criticized Citizen TV journalist Linus Kaikai for his remarks on "rogue preachers," calling his language "disrespectful" and demanding an apology. The statement, issued on March 11, accused Kaikai of "ideological arrogance" and alleged his editorial targeted religious leaders unfairly.
Kaikai's commentary, which aired during a recent episode of the Press Gang show, called for stricter oversight of religious institutions, arguing that preachers should obtain theological certification before operating. He criticized what he described as "thieves" posing as spiritual leaders, claiming they exploit congregations under the guise of faith.
The bishops' statement rejected the characterization, asserting that "rogue preachers" are a small minority and that the government has mechanisms to address misconduct. They emphasized that religious freedom guarantees Kenyans the right to worship without interference, while also acknowledging the need for accountability in cases of fraud or abuse.
"We condemn those who misrepresent the true message of the cross," the statement said. "Those masquerading as prophets of God but whose lifestyles contradict scripture must be held accountable." The group also noted they had submitted a draft religious regulation bill to the Attorney General, though they advocated for self-regulation within the church community.
Kaikai's remarks sparked immediate backlash from religious leaders, who argued his language was "provocative" and "highly disrespectful." The bishops called for an apology from Royal Media Services, the network employing Kaikai, and reiterated their stance against what they described as "intellectual arrogance" in public discourse about faith.
