Role of religion in kenyan politics

The catholic church in Kenya has been under intense heat over the majimboism debate. the question arises as to what is religion and politics from an African perspective. Both have been synonymous with one another that a divide at times lack. This though may vary within the different communities, as some had no clear leader with elder councils welding most powers. Others had chiefs while others depended on traditional healers as the mediators between their people and their deity.
Conflicts and other major decisions were solved amicably leaving all parties satisfied, religion was a way of life , a model for the communities survival and one that unified the people with their deity, that sinning or going against the set norms was a clear separation of one from the community and a the deity. Severe penalties were set, and ex communication for certain taboos also occurred. This is a just system and communities respected them. The people and their God co existed, there were signs for to the people from their Gods for any unpleasantness. droughts floods, diseases were some of the signs. According to the oxford English dictionary religion is:

"• noun 1 the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. 2 a particular system of faith and worship. 3 a pursuit or interest followed with devotion. " http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/orexxligion?view=uk

The three concept herein mentioned conform with beliefs held by various traditional thoughts across the African religion.

Governess: As mentioned above the way of life was molded and modeled on the religious thought and beliefs. What is politics and how does it impact on the the African traditional belief?
Again I will go to the English meaning of the word without going to the roots of the word;

Politics:....... • plural noun usu. treated as sing. 1 the activities associated with governing a country or area, and with the political relations between states. 2 a particular set of political beliefs or principles. 3 activities aimed at gaining power within an organization: office politics. 4 the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity, especially when concerned with power and status: the politics of gender.http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/politics?view=uk

One can clearly see that separation of authorities is none as the African belief was the mode of governing and the principles set were aimed at unifying, thus one opposing the norms was going against God and the community. The desire to question the authority ie:council of elders , chiefs, or any other revered personality was questioning ones existence in the set group. Severe repercussions followed, with the most severe death or ex communication.

The introduction of foreign religions , "read Christianity"disrupted the norm. The divorce from the traditional way of life have created a confusion clearly seen by the inability of the Kenyan people to unite and be one. The various missionary groups introduced in various part of the country led to suspicion. With the break of the protestant church from the main catholic church and the spread of Christianity in Europe Christians held one another in suspicion. This can be seen in Kenya with the concentration of major churches in different regions, hatred amongst the missionary groups can also be accountable for the deep suspicion within Kenyan communities.

The African way of life was one of Religious pluralism ,with so many beliefs yet peace reigned, prosperity seen as ones fulfilment with the supreme. Religious pluralism within the African religion is often seen as a form of Ecumenism with each belief not superior to the other, with the co existence of the various deities in complete harmony with each other. It was a form of unity, that led to the clear understanding of the other community. With this said why the so many conflicts within the traditional way of life, belief and so on . Advocates of Cultural relativism would argue that ones beliefs are only relevant and should be interpreted in that's individuals cultural concept and not from a global view of co existence. To me this is wrong, Africans have always respected others beliefs. This can be seen by the way sacred areas , sites ,were revered by other communities, it was a taboo to trespass to these grounds, cleansing and other rituals had to be performed to ward of the calamities that might afflict the trespassers community. appeasing the deities was a way of life continued co existence.

It is always said that Europeans conquered Africa with a bible on one hand and a gun on the other.
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10
Traditional beliefs were seen as witchcraft ,ungodly Antichrist and anti westernization. Africans submissiveness to their Deity's was used to promote the new religion. salvation was only through baptism and one was deemed more crosser to God by the adoption of western names, thus the new Johnston's,Daniels, Emilio's, Charles's' etc that now clutter the Kenyan nation. Education as tool of modernity: Do teaching of English as a national language deter the growth of vernacular amongst Kenyans? Yes. We tend to believe that the more English we learn the more western and more educated we are, this is mediocre. To me vernacular is my pride. It is the language of the deity, to me it is language the finite can actually communicate with the infinite it is the language of the Gods. One that unites one with God, a community to its source and one that identifies one from another knowing that in spite of the differences we are one . Batter trades is a prove that we all can co exist despite the different argots.
African generosity in Kenya led to the Resentment now seen today in Kenya with various revolts against the main stream churches especially the protestant churches like the CPK, PCEA and the Catholic church. We have seen the emergence of mushrooming evangelical churches and another school of thought that thinks that reverting to the traditional way of life is the answer.

What is the role of religion in Kenya. The catholic church has a right to get involved in educating the masses on the course to charge. Truth is we cannot dismiss Christianity, Islam as mere tools for reconciling us with the almighty. New found devoutness are here to stay. They are a way of life and have a right to be heard. The church (religion)has taken the role of the mediator as our leaders have taken the masses for granted, traditional African leaders listened to the traditional preachers, healers and others that communicated with the deity. Our leaders are deaf to the cries of the people, the once revered august house has become a house of gourmands. Debates worse than school debates. What happened to the once fabulous debates full of issues content worth for ? The government and the opposition are the same , it is a matter of who can eat with some little bit of "humility". To me Kenyans just follow the demagogue, the one that shouts the most as evident from previous elections. Who arouses the masses most. Have you ever thought of questioning the ideologies of the various presidential candidates, where do they stand on issues. When the Imams ask of the Muslim rights, what are the answers? What are you going to do with the millions of young Kenyans without jobs ? We as Kenyans need to root out political sycophancy , the demagogues, the tribal mischievous, the non achievers. Do not just let politicians tell you that they will come with an answer once they win. It's you as the Kenyan that should win and you can only make a choice by voting, to me this is the greatest tool unused by the Kenyan population.

YES the church just as any media has a right to question. Just as you. VOTE! Shame, shame, shame to the current bunch of the political wannabes .
I stop challenged .
This is a Kenyans thought.