Sapit defends Mudavadi over walkout claims

Dennis Lumiti 

The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit yesterday defended Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi against accusations that he stormed out of a church function in Butere on Sunday.

Sapit instead stated that Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula had excused themselves to leave the function early to attend a fundraiser in Murang’a county.

He was reacting to allegations leveled against the two leaders that they stormed out of the ceremony to install the new Butere Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) bishop Rose Nereya Okeno after he blocked politicians from addressing the congregation.

“Hon Mudavadi did not walk out in a huff. He duly informed me immediately he arrived that he had another engagement in Murang’a and that if I saw him leave before the ceremony was over, then it was because he wanted to attend the other event,” said Sapit.

Excused himself

Mudavadi and Wetangula were among a host of leaders who had turned up at the event held at Butere Girls’ High School grounds to witness the new bishop’s consecration.

Other politicians in attendance included ODM leader Raila Odinga, governors Wycliffe Oparanya and James Ongwae, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malalah. 

Announcing his decision to bar politicians from addressing faithful, Sapit said: “We have said this before and leaders have failed to honour it.

Today, I want to decree here that we are not going to allow politicians to speak in the church precincts.” 

Mudavadi’s later clarified that he had excused himself to attend another church function in Murang’a.

“We told the archbishop that we were going to Murang’a and we were running late requesting him to excuse us,” he said.