Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on religious leaders to use their pulpits and places of worship to guide Kenyans, especially the youth, towards moral uprightness and positive change.
Speaking during a meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, led by Bishop Dr. Geoffrey Njuguna of Deliverance Church International, Lang’ata, and Hassan Ole Naado, chairman of SUPKEM, Mudavadi emphasized the crucial role of faith leaders in shaping a just and virtuous society.
“To build and live in a just, virtuous, and morally upright nation, Kenya needs its religious leaders to use the pulpit, mosques, and other places of worship to preach messages of hope, truth, and transformation,” said Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, urged the clergy to use their influence to mentor and guide the youth, who are increasingly vulnerable to moral decay and exploitation.
He shared with the religious leaders a Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs media engagement report highlighting disturbing trends involving young Kenyans lured into illegal activities abroad.
“Some of our youth have been drawn into online scamming, illegal cryptocurrency trade, forced labour, slavery, human organ harvesting, and money laundering,” he said.
Mudavadi further expressed concern over cases of sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, and the smuggling of wildlife products, warning that these crimes not only endanger the youth but also threaten both national and global security.
He revealed that the government has been handling cases involving Kenyan women in the Middle East who have given birth out of wedlock, forcing authorities to conduct over 700 DNA tests.
“Because of strict religious laws in those countries, we have had to deport the mothers together with their babies,” he explained.
Mudavadi appealed to the clergy to nurture a God-fearing nation where the young respect their elders and the older generation provides moral guidance.
“I urged the clerics to use their institutions to mold a nation grounded in faith and respect,” he said.
The clergy pledged to collaborate with the government in shaping responsible citizens. Mudavadi assured them that any proposed law affecting religious institutions, such as the Religious Organisations Bill 2024, would go through full public participation.
“Every stakeholder must give their views before a bill becomes law,” he affirmed.
SUPKEM chairman Hassan Ole Naado said faith leaders would use their worship platforms to positively influence the youth, including those seeking jobs abroad.
“We will use our forums to impact the future of our country by speaking directly to young people,” he said.
Bishop Njuguna reaffirmed the clergy’s commitment to using their pulpits to advocate for moral and social change among the youth.
