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In Focus | Kenya
Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

Kenya's top clerics are key pieces on the political chessboard as the country heads for the polls. Both presidential front-runners, are desperate to win the large Pentecostal vote. We delve behind-the-scenes of political preaching and fundraising to explore the role of religion in the campaign. [...]

Published on 20/06/2022 at 06:00 GMT Reading time 7 minutes

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Apostolic Bishop Margaret Wanjiru in September 2010. © STR/EPA/MaxPPP

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Politics

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Anthony Kahura Mwangi
Arthur Kitonga
Azimio la Umoja
Christ is the Answer Ministries
Cornerstone Ministries Church
Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya
Dorcas Rigathi
EAK
Evangelical Alliance of Kenya
Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya
Hassan Ole Naado
Hope TV
Ida Odinga
Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya
Jesus Is Alive Ministries
John Mbadi
Kalonzo Musyoka
Kenya Broadcasting Corp
Kenya Kwanza
Life Church International Limuru
Margaret Wanjiru
Martha Karua
Maximum Miracle Center
Mister T
Mohamed Khalifa
Mwai Kibaki
National Council of Churches of Kenya
National Muslim Leaders Forum
Noordin Haji
Orange Democratic Movement
Peter Njenga
Pius Muiru
Rachel Ruto
Raila Odinga
Redeemed Gospel Church
Rigathi Gachagua
Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi
Supkem
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
Titus Khamala
Uhuru Kenyatta
William Ruto
Zacchaeus Okoth

Kenya
Ruto orders interior minister to go easy on churches close to government

The Kenyan government is treading carefully in dealing with the excesses of some of the country's religious institutions. The security agencies are scrutinising the country's most suspect pastors, but have had orders from on high to spare those close to the government.

Subscribers only Politics 04.07.2023

Kenya
Ruto treads carefully as Mungiki sect shows signs of revival

Keen not to erode his central Kenya base, the president is trying to discreetly counter the leader of an infamous banned group that appears to have returned to centre stage.

Subscribers only Politics 29.06.2023

Kenyan president William Ruto and the former leader of the Mungiki sect, Maina Njenga.

Kenya
Odinga family and party square up for succession

After five consecutive presidential election defeats, Raila Odinga is hoping to turn the page. But both the perpetuation of his political dynasty and the survival of his party are at stake in the battle for his succession.

Free access Diplomacy 25.10.2022

The former Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Kenya
Mark Kariuki, the bishop whispering in Ruto's ear

Kenya's new president has opened the doors of State House to a host of religious leaders, who have quickly become omnipresent. Among them is a long-time ally: the evangelist Mark Kariuki, who played a key role in Ruto's political rise.

Subscribers only Politics 19.10.2022

Spotlight | Kenya
From Washington to the Horn, Ruto's new diplomatic strategy

The new president is keen to build on the alliances forged by his predecessor, but is also on the lookout for new international partners. However, he has limited manpower and room for manoeuvre to transform the regional map.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 29.09.2022

Kenyan president William Ruto speaks during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on 21 September 2022, in New York.

Kenya
Ruto and Odinga snub religious leaders' call for peaceful elections

The leaders of Kenya's main Christian churches called on the two leading presidential candidates to meet and commit to a peaceful election. They have declined the invitation.

Subscribers only Politics 29.07.2022

Kenya, Somalia
Odinga's campaign pledges on Somalia ruffle Kenyatta and his intelligence services

Keenly aware that he is not a favourite in Mogadishu, Odinga has recently been bending over backwards to come up with proposals to restore bilateral relations with Somalia. Much to the concern of the security services, which are on high alert in the run-up to the Kenyan elections.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 04.07.2022

Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

Kenya
Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Deputy President William Ruto's campaign team is exasperated by the failure of his running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, to toe the official line. Communications advisers in the Kenya Kwanza coalition have had to deal with a string of polemics sparked by Gachagua's speeches and by comments on social media by some of Ruto's more vocal allies.

Subscribers only Politics 24.06.2022

Presidential candidate William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua (on left).

Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga court Somalia's new president

The Kenyan president and the two main contenders hoping to succeed him have already contacted the new Somali leader's officials. But they will have their work cut out to normalise relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu, which hit rock bottom under Somalia's previous leader.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 16.06.2022

Somalia's new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at his inauguration ceremony on 9 June 2022.

Kenya
Ruto seeks Moi family backing for his presidential bid

Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto has launched a charm offensive among the children of former president Daniel arap Moi, who died in 2020. Some appear to be already on his side.

Subscribers only Politics 14.06.2022

Kenyan Deputy President and presidential candidate William Ruto.

Kenya
Kenyatta hamstrung by anti-graft row

With general elections on the horizon, top officials in Kenya are failing to see eye-to-eye over the fate of a large number of candidates accused of corruption. Outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been asked to mediate, risks seeing his send-off marred by a major scandal.

Subscribers only Politics 10.06.2022

Kenya
Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

In the run-up to the general election, rival polling institutes and media outlets are churning out figures and predictions that are sometimes at odds with each other. These statistics are being scrutinised closely by the political parties to inform their campaign choices.

Subscribers only Politics 06.06.2022

Spotlight | Kenya
Presidential hopefuls battle for media spotlight

Outgoing Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has rolled out access to his media empire to support his protégé Raila Odinga for president. His main opponent, deputy president William Ruto, is turning to social media as a result.

Subscribers only Politics 02.06.2022

Kenya
Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

The outgoing Kenyan president wants to influence the choice of Raila Odinga's running mate in upcoming elections, even if it means accentuating the tensions within their coalition. The decision must be taken before 28 April.

Subscribers only Politics 26.04.2022

Kenya
Gloves come off in Ruto's battle with Kenyatta

The deputy president's remaining allies in the government have resigned in order to reach out to the grass roots and help finance his election campaign. Now that they have nothing left to lose, they are preparing a concerted offensive against the Kenyan leader.

Subscribers only Politics 18.02.2022

Kenya
Odinga keen to rally religious heads

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is keen to find allies to support his demand for a referendum on the government [...]

Subscribers only Politics 18.07.2014

Set up email notifications for these topics

Anthony Kahura Mwangi
Arthur Kitonga
Azimio la Umoja
Christ is the Answer Ministries
Cornerstone Ministries Church
Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya
Dorcas Rigathi
EAK
Evangelical Alliance of Kenya
Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya
Hassan Ole Naado
Hope TV
Ida Odinga
Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya
Jesus Is Alive Ministries
John Mbadi
Kalonzo Musyoka
Kenya Broadcasting Corp
Kenya Kwanza
Life Church International Limuru
Margaret Wanjiru
Martha Karua
Maximum Miracle Center
Mister T
Mohamed Khalifa
Mwai Kibaki
National Council of Churches of Kenya
National Muslim Leaders Forum
Noordin Haji
Orange Democratic Movement
Peter Njenga
Pius Muiru
Rachel Ruto
Raila Odinga
Redeemed Gospel Church
Rigathi Gachagua
Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi
Supkem
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
Titus Khamala
Uhuru Kenyatta
William Ruto
Zacchaeus Okoth

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In Focus | Kenya
Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

Kenya
Ruto orders interior minister to go easy on churches close to government

Kenya
Ruto treads carefully as Mungiki sect shows signs of revival

Kenya
Odinga family and party square up for succession

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Mark Kariuki, the bishop whispering in Ruto's ear

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Ruto and Odinga snub religious leaders' call for peaceful elections

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Odinga's campaign pledges on Somalia ruffle Kenyatta and his intelligence services

Kenya
Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga court Somalia's new president

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Ruto seeks Moi family backing for his presidential bid

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Kenyatta hamstrung by anti-graft row

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Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

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Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

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Gloves come off in Ruto's battle with Kenyatta

Kenya
Odinga keen to rally religious heads

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

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In Focus | Kenya Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

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create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

Kenya Ruto orders interior minister to go easy on churches close to government

Kenya Ruto treads carefully as Mungiki sect shows signs of revival

Kenya Odinga family and party square up for succession

Kenya Mark Kariuki, the bishop whispering in Ruto's ear

Spotlight | Kenya From Washington to the Horn, Ruto's new diplomatic strategy

Kenya Ruto and Odinga snub religious leaders' call for peaceful elections

Kenya, Somalia Odinga's campaign pledges on Somalia ruffle Kenyatta and his intelligence services

Kenya Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Kenya, Somalia Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga court Somalia's new president

Kenya Ruto seeks Moi family backing for his presidential bid

Kenya Kenyatta hamstrung by anti-graft row

Kenya Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

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Kenya Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

Kenya Gloves come off in Ruto's battle with Kenyatta

Kenya Odinga keen to rally religious heads

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Mali, Senegal, Togo
The secrets of Demex, the trader selling Russian oil in West Africa

In Focus | Kenya
Shillings, prayers and votes: democracy in a very religious country

Kenya
Ruto orders interior minister to go easy on churches close to government

Kenya
Ruto treads carefully as Mungiki sect shows signs of revival

Kenya
Odinga family and party square up for succession

Kenya
Mark Kariuki, the bishop whispering in Ruto's ear

Spotlight | Kenya
From Washington to the Horn, Ruto's new diplomatic strategy

Kenya
Ruto and Odinga snub religious leaders' call for peaceful elections

Kenya, Somalia
Odinga's campaign pledges on Somalia ruffle Kenyatta and his intelligence services

Kenya
Ruto campaign in damage control mode after running mate's gaffes

Kenya, Somalia
Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga court Somalia's new president

Kenya
Ruto seeks Moi family backing for his presidential bid

Kenya
Kenyatta hamstrung by anti-graft row

Kenya
Odinga and Ruto look to polls to guide election strategy

Spotlight | Kenya
Presidential hopefuls battle for media spotlight

Kenya
Kenyatta and Odinga's dilemma over choice of future deputy president

Kenya
Gloves come off in Ruto's battle with Kenyatta

Kenya
Odinga keen to rally religious heads