CITAM Church praises Gen Z, warns against politicising Christianity

Popular church CITAM has come out to add its voice to the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and the brutality used by the police against the protestors.

While giving their stand, CITAM raised their concerns and also applauded Gen Z, who were the face of the anti-government demonstrations that rocked the country.

"We do want to appreciate and applaud Gen Zs for their engagement with issues of national interest, and particularly the double focus that we noted: on the one hand, they mobilized protests against unfair tax regimes in a legal manner that was apolitical and devoid of ethnic innuendoes, and on the other hand, they pricked the conscience of the church to purge the pulpits of our churches from undue influence by politics and politicians.

"Indeed, they truly showed us that, as the clergy, we should not politicize Christianity, and neither should we Christianize politics. We, the clergy, have certainly listened to your prophetic call," CITAM said in a statement shared on their social media platforms on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

On the lost lives and police brutality, CITAM urged the government and well-wishers to offer assistance to those who were injured and those who were bereaved.

"We do want to most sincerely express our condolences to those who lost their loved ones and their friends in the demonstration and pray for God's comfort upon them. We further pray for quick recovery for those who were injured," it said.

Ruto lauded

After intensified protests, President William Ruto withdrew the bill, and CITAM acknowledged the step taken by the Head of State.

"We certainly acknowledge the President for rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 (although a little late) and putting into place measures that would reduce government expenditure. We pray that this will be extended to other areas as well, so as to ease the heavy tax burden Kenyans are bearing.

"We are also encouraged by the openness of the President to engage with the young people in mapping out the country together and pray that this offer will be accepted," the statement added.

The church also touched on the matter of military use to quell internal conflicts, saying that is an issue that should be handled by the Kenya Police.

"We appreciate the various roles our military has played worldwide as peacemakers, but we recommend that the military be deployed against external aggression and that the police be allowed to handle the matter of picketing in an orderly manner," it concluded.

CITAM asked Gen Z to be involved in matters of national interest because that only shows the country is headed for a bright future.