There was a rather awkward moment after CITAM Presiding Bishop David Oginde told President Uhuru Kenyatta that he had abandoned the church in the process of passing the Building Bridges Initiative Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020.
Speaking at a special service to welcome the new Presiding Bishop Calisto Odede on Saturday, December 5, Oginde requested President Kenyatta to allow the church room to support the BBI by incorporating their demands.
He made his request in a comical manner, giving an example with a train, as ODM leader Raila Odinga has called the initiative on a number of occasions.
“There is a train of which you are a driver. This train is supposed to take us into a better and more peaceful Kenya,” the bishop started.
“Unfortunately before we were ready, we heard that the train had left the station. We were shocked,” he continued referencing on how the initiative was quickly gathering momentum.
He explained that Christians felt left out and stranded at the ‘station’ wondering how to catch up with the train.
Oginde said that just as he would be forced to take a taxi to the next train station when left, his request that the church is involved was symbolic of the cab.
“Your Excellency since the train has left, I have seen the church rather stranded at the station but today I have caught a taxi on their behalf. I know this one moves faster because it is the Madaraka Express. I have seen what has happened in four days,” he continued, referencing how the task force had received over 5 million signatures in just four days.
“We are still hopeful we can catch this train and get into it as a church. We have only a few pieces of luggage that we are bringing along. Please do not let our seats go empty,” Oginde appealed, hinting that the church would like to submit its own recommendations.
As Oginde faulted the manner in which BBI was being carried out, President Kenyatta could be seen fidgeting from his seat as he laughed away the bishop's comments.
When he rose to give his remarks, the head of state did not make any reference to Oginde's request and only assured the church of his government's support.
"You can always count on my support, my government’s support as we move together, state and church, to do God’s will. Both of us are here to serve and we need each other and we need to work together. By doing so we are able to achieve our objectives much more quickly and deliver the needs of our people," the President said.
To the new head of CITAM, Kenyatta wished him success as he takes up the mantle of leadership and encouraged him to lead with courage.
“I wish you every success as you embark on the challenge ahead of you. We hear a lot of people talk about big shoes and the impossibilities of filling the big shoes. I believe as the famous poem says, do not compare yourself with others because by so doing, all you become is vain and full of despair.
“There's no need to compare yourself with others. God has given you your shoes and he has made you for a time as this. Stand up and work, tomorrow there will be others,” the President advised Bishop Odede.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/_-tq6Kgu164.jpg?itok=WPY9Z2Kz","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
