By Anchor Writers

MACHAKOS, July 20 — A solemn church event turned politically charged on Sunday when AIC’s Presiding Bishop Abraham Mulwa used the consecration of Machakos Area Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo and his deputy Amos Ndunda to publicly rebuke local leaders.

His actions sparked tensions between the church, Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and President William Ruto.

The high-profile ceremony at Bomani AIC Church, attended by President Ruto and top local leaders, was to consecrate new Machakos Area church leadership but quickly morphed into a platform of reproach  and political undercurrents.

Bishop Mulwa openly accused Governor Wavinya Ndeti and Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka of failing to express gratitude after he prayed for their political victories. In a dramatic twist, he said he was sending none other than the President to convey the message to both leaders — even though they were seated embarrassed in the congregation as he spoke.

Nevertheless, the two were denied a chance to respond. In a move loaded with symbolism and calculated humiliation, Bishop Mulwa announced that all politicians — except the President — would not be allowed to speak, citing an alleged new AIC policy barring political speeches from the pulpit.

Despite the explanation, Mulwa bypassed standard protocol to personally invite President Ruto to speak — not from the pulpit where he was standing, but from a microphone hastily positioned at lower ground.

This highly choreographed gesture was not lost on observers. Governor Wavinya, seated beside Ruto, looked visibly stunned by the decision but took it in her stride to seated through the President’s speech.

While accepting the invitation, President Ruto made light of the rebuke and quickly turned the heat back on the presiding bishop. “Even you didn’t pray for me to win,” he said to Mulwa, triggering laughter among his supporters but barely concealing the awkwardness in the sanctuary.

Those who know Bishop Mulwa say he was at loggerheads with Ruto during the last campaigns and see the President’s remarks as a clear grievance and a sign of unfinished business between the two.

The bishop, who repeatedly claimed he was non-political, went on to lash out at opposition voices that had criticized Ruto’s planned and yet unyielding  visit to the region. In a fiery moment, he dared anyone to respond to his remarks, warning ominously that anyone who did “will not be elected again.”

The spectacle marked a new peak in simmering tensions between Ruto and Governor Wavinya, especially after the Wiper Party — which she represents — launched disciplinary proceedings against Machakos and Kitui Speakers Ann Kiusya and Kevin Kinengo for attending a State House meeting with the President.

Though the service, was meant to bless a new era for the AIC church in Machakos, instead exposed widening cracks between church leadership, county government, and national politics — with the pulpit becoming the latest battleground.

Ruto gifted the new bishop with a brand new Toyota Prado and pledged Kes 20m for the construction of a new AIC Bomani Sanctuary.

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