The members of the Raila Odinga family are adherents of the ACK church, according to Jackson Ole Sapit, the sixth archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
At the former prime minister’s residence in Karen, Nairobi County, on Saturday, August 20, Sapit addressed the claim that the Odingas are not devout followers of a particular church.
Sapit was one of the priests that congregated at Raila’s residence as part of their mission to visit the key figures in national politics in order to preach peace and reduce political tension following the elections on August 9.
They held prior meetings with departing President Uhuru Kenyatta and president-elect William Ruto.
The Anglican top cleric affirmed Raila’s devotion to the ACK church and claimed that following the devastating defeat at the hands of Ruto, he and his equivalents from other religions visited Raila at home to provide him pastoral assistance.
“We have come to Raila Odinga’s home to provide our pastoral care to the family. I want to affirm this family belongs to the Anglican Church. I know there have been people doubting where they worship,” said Sapit.
Ole Sapit, who succeeded archbishop emeritus Eliud Wabukala as head of ACK in 2016, has recently been under fire from Azimio La Umoja’s supporters.
Ole Sapit assigned himself the responsibility of praying in the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 15, where the presidential results were announced amid confusion and unease.
Political leaders had argued before Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), arrived to declare the presidential victory, causing tension in the auditorium.
Following Chebukati’s announcement, Ole Sapit stood at the stage to urge restraint and then to offer prayers.
Ole Sapit, in the eyes of Raila’s supporters, supported Ruto’s triumph by assigning himself to preside over the prayer meeting.
“The nation has been anxious, but we want to urge all Kenyans; let us now put all our anxiety aside. The Bible says the end of a matter is better than the beginning. We want to urge the country to remain united. We have families to look after, an economy to grow , children who will go back to school, we want our nation back,” said Ole Sapit before embarking on a word of prayer.
