Kenya: Churches celebrate new president

“They are pushing for health care, free education, and an improved economy”

Church leaders in Kenya are urging their new president, Mwai Kibaki, to keep his promises. In particular, they want him to improve the economy, root out corruption, and provide free primary education and affordable health care.

In December 27 elections, Kibaki and his opposition National Rainbow Coalition trounced Daniel arap Moi’s ruling Kenya African National Union, which had governed the country since independence in 1963. Moi, 78, stepped down before the vote. According to a constitutional provision introduced in 1992, presidents are limited to two five-year terms. Moi’s second term expired last year.

Patrick Rukenya is general secretary of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. He attributed Kibaki’s victory to “the hand of the Lord.” Still, he said, churches should continue pointing out “mistakes in the country, so that things can move again.”

Churches, Muslim groups, and nongovernmental organizations deployed more than 19,000 observers and poll watchers.

In recent years, church leaders in the Christian majority nation have criticized Moi and called for political reforms. Kibaki, a former vice president, said he would implement them. He joined the political opposition a decade ago.

“You have asked me to lead this nation out of the present wilderness and malaise into the Promised Land,” Kibaki said. “And I shall do so.”

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

For more articles on Kenya, see Christianity Today‘s World Report, AllAfrica.com, or Yahoo full coverage. Also see our Politics and Law archive.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

NYC Mayoral Race, Trump Softens to Ukraine, and Can Horror Films Edify?

Mamdani leads NYC mayoral race, Trump-Putin relationship cools, and why horror movies might help you cope in a horrible world.

The Bigfoot and UFOs Podcast Introducing Listeners to Christ

“We want to make a space where people can scratch an itch about the weird stuff they’ve encountered, but our heart for this is for people to encounter God.”

News

What Would a Liberal Democracy in Lebanon Look Like?

An interfaith group created a Youth Mock Parliament to imagine a nonsectarian government.

Analysis

‘Drug Boat’ Strikes Prompt Questions about Human Dignity, Executive Power

When the president exercises lethal force without congressional authority, we all lose.

News

Brazilian Evangelicals See God at Work Among the Working Class

Small Pentecostal churches across poor peripheral neighborhoods fuel Protestant growth nationwide.

Wire Story

Top ACNA Leader Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Following a string of scandals, the accusations against Archbishop Steve Wood come amid plans for the denomination to overhaul its abuse response.

The Russell Moore Show

 Listener Question: Should Communion Be Open to All Believers?

Russell takes a listener’s question about church membership and the Communion table.

Anti-Fragile Faith in Chaotic Times

Slow Theology highlights how a long obedience in the same direction grows.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube