DNK International By Kennedy Epalat,Amagoro.
Teso Pentecostal bishops and Pastors have condemned the violent attacks metted on the public during the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay.
Speaking to the media at the Harvest Miracle Church in Amagoro, Teso North Sub County, in Busia County on Tuesday ,the religious leaders appealed to President William Ruto to personally intervene and end the increasing cases of goonism in the country in order to save the nation from degenerating into anarchy.
Pastor Renice Otere while condemning the recent incident in Homa Bay where several people were killed and others seriously injured and properties destroyed by hired goons, urged President Ruto to take punitive action against leaders whom she accused of promoting activities that pose the risk of making the country ungovernable.
She further called for justice in Kenya, saying voters often felt abandoned by leaders after elections.
“We elect leaders, but later they forsake us,” she said.
The Teso Pentecostal leadership said it remained committed to supporting national unity and praying for the country’s leadership but insisted that the Government must ensure fairness and inclusivity in its engagement with churches.
They urged President William Ruto to engage directly with grassroots churches, accusing the government of neglecting Pentecostal denominations in matters of national engagement and support.
The Teso Bishops and Pastors Fellowship, which represents more than 67,000 believers across Teso North, Teso Central and Teso South, said Pentecostal churches deserved equal treatment from the Government.
The fellowship’s chairman, Bishop Dr Moses Omuse, said Pentecostal churches had remained committed to praying for the country, paying taxes and serving communities despite what he described as their exclusion from government support.
“We pray for this nation, we pay taxes, educate children and serve communities, yet when it comes to government support to churches, we are left out,” Bishop Omuse said in a statement.
He cited a fundraising event held last year where, according to the fellowship, 40 churches received Ksh2 million while one denomination received Ksh10 million in a single sitting.
“Our position is that we are not complaining. We are not bitter. We are only asking for equity,” he said.
Bishop Omuse challenged the President and other leaders to recognise the contribution of Pentecostal churches, saying their influence should not be measured by the size of their buildings.
“The church in Kenya belongs to Christ, not to denominations. Pentecostal pastors are on the ground. We are in the villages, in the slums and in the prisons. We counsel the broken, bury the dead and pray for our leaders day and night,” he said.
He called for a consultative meeting between the Government and Pentecostal leadership, saying the churches wanted a seat at the national decision-making table.
“Your Excellency the President, Honourable Leaders, all we are asking is this: Give us a seat at the table. Be fair to all churches. Do not judge the ministry by the size of its building, but by the size of its impact,” Bishop Omuse said.
He said Pentecostal leaders would continue praying for President Ruto and other national leaders but would also speak out whenever they felt injustices were being committed.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne,” he quoted from Psalm 89:14.
Bishop Omuse said the decision to raise the issue followed what he described as continued exclusion since last year’s fundraising.
“We have been watching what is happening since last year when we had the first fundraising. Leaders are not giving the President the right information. They include sitting MPs, MCAs, the Governor and aspiring gubernatorial aspirants,” he said.
He warned that if their concerns did not receive a response, the Pentecostal leadership would intensify its prayers rather than abandon its faith.
“We will remain trusting in God,” he said.
Teso Pastors Chairman Pastor Dennis Etyang echoed the concerns, saying Pentecostal Christians felt increasingly ignored despite their support for the Government.
“We are crying for the President to also remember Pentecostal churches. We are feeling very much ignored. We are praying for you, we voted for you. As Pentecostals, it appears we have been locked out,” Pastor Etyang said.
The meeting was attended by eight bishops and about 100 pastors.
George Onyapidi Osukuku of Missions Save Our Souls said leaders who professed faith should also listen to the concerns of Christians at the grassroots.
Pastor Dr Jane Akacho said Pentecostal churches were often dismissed because of the nature and size of their buildings.
“Most of the time we go for fasting. Your Excellency the President, we are tired of being ridiculed. Most of the time our churches are called kiosks, yet we go deep into prayers because of our own country and leaders,” she said.
The bishops and pastors called for a formal consultative meeting with President Ruto and Government officials, saying such an engagement would help address their concerns.
[DNK-International@August 19,2026]
