Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich has said that religious leaders who are eying various elective seats in the upcoming general election should resign.
According to Bishop Kimengich, it is not right for a religious leader to remain with his position at the same time vying for a political seat.
“You cannot mix church issues with political matters. That you are a leader in church but at the same time doing politics,” noted the clergy.
Bishop Kimengich further revealed that he has already issued a directive to all church leaders within the Eldoret Catholic Diocese eyeing political positions to quit from their roles.
“We already asked Christians who are leaders in our Parishes and even diocese that if they want to go into politics they first resign,” he said.
Religious leaders being political aspirants is not a new thing in the country.
Currently, there are several religious leaders who are elected politicians, while tens of them are eyeing political positions in the August 9 polls.
Among the prominent church leaders seeking political positions in the country is Bishop Margaret Wanjiru – who is eyeing the Nairobi gubernatorial seat under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
But according to Bishop Kimengich, one cannot hold the two positions at the same time.
While it is a constitutional requirement for public servants to resign before venturing into politics, there is no legal requirement that stops religious leaders from seeking political elective seats.
Public officers interested in being elected in the upcoming poll were to have resigned by early February this year.
