Easter 2025 in Kenya unfolded not only as a celebration of Christ’s resurrection but as a moment of reckoning for the soul of the nation, with clergy across the country using the pulpit to deliver searing messages that reached far beyond theology. Falling on April 20th—a rare alignment for both Western and Eastern Christian calendars—the holy day became a stage for calls to conscience, unity, and reform. While sermons across denominations upheld traditional themes of resurrection, hope, and renewal, several clergy, particularly from the Catholic Church, stepped into the fray of national discourse with unapologetic candor. Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, delivering his homily at Nairobi’s Holy Family Basilica, did not mince words. He blamed Kenya’s ongoing suffering on the “sins” of its people, drawing a direct and controversial link to the choices made during the 2022 general elections. He named rising corruption, domestic violence, and a disturbing trend in unethical healthcare practices—particularly organ theft—as symptoms of a moral crisis engulfing the nation. His warning to congregants to “be careful with your surgery” hinted at a deep public fear of a broken healthcare system and underscored his broader message that spiritual and societal decay were intertwined.

In Mombasa, Archbishop Martin Kivuva struck a similarly critical tone, directing his Easter sermon at the government’s economic policies. With President Ruto preparing to travel to China for talks with one of Kenya’s major lenders, Kivuva’s timing was pointed as he decried the government’s unchecked appetite for loans. He questioned whether borrowed billions were being used to serve the people or to fund untraceable ventures, voicing a concern that has simmered among Kenyans grappling with a rising cost of living and dwindling faith in public accountability. But the Archbishop’s critique didn’t stop at debt; he rebuked politicians for engaging in premature campaigns for the 2027 elections and stoking tribal tensions, warning that such actions risked pulling the country further apart. His words reflected a growing anxiety about Kenya’s political culture—one increasingly marked by performative leadership and ethnic division rather than national unity. Meanwhile, in the rural town of Elburgon, Fr. Gideon Korir turned the spotlight inward, condemning the infiltration of politics into sacred spaces. He expressed deep dismay over chaotic scenes witnessed on church pulpits, where rival politicians turned places of worship into arenas of confrontation. His impassioned plea was for churches to be preserved as sanctuaries of peace, healing, and moral guidance—not hijacked for political expedience.

These sermons reveal a critical shift in Kenya’s ecclesiastical tone—one that reflects an increasingly assertive clergy willing to challenge the political establishment and speak directly to the hardships of ordinary citizens. What emerges is a portrait of the church not merely as a spiritual institution, but as a potent voice in Kenya’s public square. The critiques delivered during Easter 2025 resonated because they mirrored real anxieties: from economic inequality and corrupt governance to deteriorating healthcare and the erosion of moral values. While the media gave these messages significant attention—particularly the stinging remarks about debt and governance—government responses remained conspicuously absent, possibly signaling discomfort or strategic avoidance. Yet, the Easter pulpit’s impact was undeniable, reaffirming the church’s enduring role as a moral compass and social conscience. The voices of Kamomoe, Kivuva, and Korir stood not just as isolated acts of courage, but as part of a broader ecclesiastical momentum demanding a better Kenya—one that upholds justice, integrity, and compassion. In a time of crisis, their sermons were more than words; they were calls to action, prayers for accountability, and reminders that even amid despair, the resurrection message remains one of transformation and hope.

References:

Anglican Ink Kenyan Anglican Church backs criticism of government

The Eastleigh Voice 30 Pentecostal Churches criticise Ruto over runaway corruption, governance issues

Capital News Archbishop Kivuva urges political tolerace to avert violence

Capital News Anglican Church joins Catholic Bishops in calling for govt accountability

Vatican News Kenyan bishops emphasize collective responsibility to transform nation