The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that church leaders are planning to visit State House to seek financial assistance or political patronage.
In a strongly worded message, the church’s 24th General Assembly leadership said no delegation had been authorised, sponsored or blessed by the PCEA to approach President William Ruto or any other politician for money or political endorsement.
The clarification seeks to quell growing speculation within church circles and online platforms suggesting that clergy and elders were preparing to make a political pilgrimage to State House to seek financial favours for the church.
The church said such claims were false and did not reflect its institutional position.
Addressing PCEA members and the wider public, the General Assembly leadership described the church as a respected, independent and non-partisan institution whose engagement with national affairs must not be confused with partisan political activity.
“PCEA is a respectable, independent and non-partisan church. We believe in political hygiene and must jealously guard our independence from partisan political interests.”
The leadership said the church had neither organised nor sanctioned a delegation to visit State House, Wamunyoro, Tseikuru, Sisi Ndio Sifuna or any other political establishment to seek financial assistance or endorse a politician.
It said the PCEA would continue praying for the country and supporting clean politics while defending the principles of multiparty democracy.
The statement comes at a time when religious institutions have increasingly found themselves at the centre of Kenya’s political conversations, with politicians frequently seeking the support and presence of church leaders at public functions.
The PCEA leadership, however, sought to draw a clear line between engaging with political leaders as part of the church’s civic responsibilities and aligning the institution with a particular political camp.
The church said its independence was not negotiable and that it would not allow financial difficulties or internal challenges to compromise its principles.
“We may have challenges, yes, but we can never compromise our conscience or doctrines or our ability to speak truth to power,” the leadership said.
The remarks are likely to be closely watched amid heightened political activity as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
The church said it had no intention of endorsing any political party or politician and urged its members not to be misled by messages circulating on social media.
The General Assembly leadership said it was particularly concerned by social media clips alleging that clergy and elders were organising a visit to State House to seek financial favours.
It stressed that no such arrangement existed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, PCEA is not organising, sponsoring or endorsing any delegation to visit any politician to seek financial favours or political patronage,” the leadership said.
The church also sought to prevent its internal affairs from being exploited for political purposes, saying any challenges facing the institution would be addressed through established church structures rather than through political intervention.
“We may have our issues, internal ones, which you can address and address in our own way,” the leadership said.
The clarification is also a reminder of the delicate relationship between Kenya’s churches and political leadership, particularly at a time when politicians across the political divide are actively cultivating relationships with religious institutions and community leaders.
The PCEA leadership maintained that the church’s role was to serve its members, uphold its doctrines and contribute to the welfare of the country without becoming an appendage of any political party.
It said the church supports democratic participation and prays for responsible leadership but does not equate such support with political allegiance.
The leadership appealed to PCEA members to remain assured that the institution had not taken sides in the emerging political alignments.
“We are not aligning ourselves to any political side and we are not seeking favours, financial favours from anyone,” it said.
The statement effectively puts the church’s official position on record, distancing the PCEA from any individual or group purporting to act on its behalf in seeking financial support or political endorsement.
It also places responsibility on members to distinguish between officially sanctioned church activities and initiatives undertaken by individuals without the authority of the General Assembly.
With political temperatures expected to rise as the 2027 elections approach, the PCEA leadership said it would continue to defend its independence while encouraging Kenyans to embrace clean politics, democratic freedoms and responsible national leadership.
