The Ambiguity of Evangelicalism and Politics in Kenya: A Critical Analysis

The complex relationship between religion and politics in Kenya has come to the forefront with the election of William Ruto as the country’s fifth president. Ruto’s ties to evangelical churches have sparked debates both locally and internationally, with many focusing on issues such as secularism, homosexuality, and abortion.

However, a deeper look into the nuances of religion and politics in Kenya reveals a more complex landscape. The distinction between different Christian faiths is often blurred in the minds of most Kenyans, leading to a lack of clarity on what constitutes the Evangelical church. Many churches labeled as “Evangelical” in Kenya do not necessarily adhere to the evangelical faith as defined by Western standards.

Moreover, the political attitudes of American and European missionaries towards the state have influenced Christianity in Kenya in different ways. While European missionaries collaborated with the colonial state but also spoke out against human rights abuses, American missionaries preferred to distance themselves from the state, leading to a different approach to Christianity in Kenyan political life.

Ruto’s own faith and political career demonstrate these complexities, with his economic thinking aligning more with neoliberal capitalism than with traditional conservative values. His alliance with evangelical churches is more rooted in a narrative of personal success and entrepreneurship rather than strict moral conservatism.

The obsession with secularism among the Kenyan middle class is seen as a form of snobbery that overlooks the important role that religion plays in the lives of ordinary Kenyans. The intellectual class’s focus on enforcing Enlightenment secularism is criticized for ignoring the material realities of many Kenyans who rely on religious spaces for social support and community leadership.

Overall, the intertwining of religion and politics in Kenya reveals a more fluid and nuanced relationship than a Euro-American reading would allow. The complexities of spirituality in Kenya, including traditional African spiritualities, must be taken into account when analyzing the role of the church in politics and society.