Opposition leaders compare President Ruto to Pharaoh, urge him to listen to the Church

The United Opposition has told off President William Ruto for turning a deaf ear to issues raised by the Church over his governance of the country, saying that is the voice of the people he leads.

While lauding clergy for speaking truth to power, opposition figures Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Fred Matiang’i likened the President’s style of leadership to that of the Biblical Egyptian king, Pharaoh.

Speaking at the ordination ceremony of Rev. Dorcas Rigathi at her Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, the opposition chiefs sought prayers for the country, as they took apart the President’s adopted style of governance.

“I saw the statement by the Anglican Bishop of Kisumu, I have seen the Catholic bishops, I have seen them, they have spoken. Are you not reminded of the spirit of Pharaoh, who was refusing that the children of Israel would get out of captivity?” Posed Kalonzo.

Matiang’i stated: “Please listen to the clergy. Listen to the religious leaders of our country. They are speaking on behalf of our people and they are articulating the pain, aspirations and wishes of our people.”

In the ceremony that discouraged politics, those who got the chance accused the President of high handedness in the handling of policies that directly touch the day to day lives of Kenyans, lauding the men of cloth for standing up to him. They also sought prayers for the nation.

“When you’re called to be the President of the Republic of Kenya and you have that calling to the highest office in the land. To that high office, you must also hold that high office with honor and dignity,” Wamalwa stated.

Matiang’i added: “And we know what has happened to countries that have failed to listen to our ordained men of God. You’re the voice of God, you’re the conscience of our country. Our national leaders, please listen to the voice of God that is coming from the clergy.”

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti chimed in: “Kanisa mtuombee, we need your prayers. Hapa hatutaki Mungu atume malaika, tunataka akuje yeye mwenyewe.”

Having been ordained, Rev. Dorcas was celebrated for her initiatives in empowering widows, the boychild and the destitute, even as she received heaps of praise for standing by her husband at the time of his hounding out of office.

Her husband, opposition co-principal Rigathi Gachagua, said: “My family and I are grateful people. And we do remember good deeds. We don’t forget. Those that have been good and nice to us, should an occasion arise in the future that you desire our kindness, we will be available.”