President William Ruto has called on security agencies to ensure churches and other places of worship remain spaces of peace, free from political confrontations and disorder.
Speaking during a church service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church, Gikomba, Nairobi County, on Sunday, President Ruto said places of worship should not be turned into arenas for political rivalry, urging leaders and worshippers alike to exercise restraint and respect the sanctity of religious spaces.
“We want our churches to be a place of peace,” he said.
“All arms of security must ensure that our places of worship are protected from unnecessary, useless, and retrogressive fights and politics.”
The President stressed that while political engagement is a fundamental part of a democratic society, it should be conducted in appropriate forums rather than within religious institutions.
“All of us have platforms outside the church where we can conduct politics,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concern over incidents in which political disagreements have spilled into churches, leading to disruptions during services and raising questions about the role of religious spaces in Kenya’s increasingly charged political environment.
Ruto said the government would not tolerate actions that compromise the safety and tranquillity of worshippers, adding that security agencies had a duty to act decisively to prevent disorder.
Church leaders have in the past few days expressed concern over the politicisation of worship spaces, warning that such developments risk undermining unity and distracting from the spiritual mission of religious institutions.
Some clergy have called for clearer boundaries between political activity and religious practice.
The President’s comments also come as political activity intensifies across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders increasingly using public platforms to mobilise support.
Ruto urged politicians to respect religious institutions and to engage their supporters responsibly, noting that churches play a critical role in promoting social cohesion, moral values, and national unity.
“Places of worship must unite us, not divide us,” he said, reiterating that politics should be carried out through established political channels and forums.
The government, he said, remains committed to safeguarding freedom of worship while ensuring that religious spaces are not exploited for activities that threaten peace and security.
The remarks are in reference to an incident where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies were allegedly teargassed at a church service and their vehicles destroyed.
