700 pastors urge President Obama not to preach same-sex marriage during July visit

oge okonkwo

May 19, 2015 12:13 PM

The pastors said in a separate statement that "President Barack Obama is welcome to visit Kenya this summer — but please, leave the preaching to us."

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya comprising of 700 pastors yesterday urged President of the United States, Barack Obama, not to "preach" and impose his views in support of same-sex marriage on the Kenyan people when he visits the African country in July.

"We would like to send a strong message to the U.S. president that the homosexuality debate should not become part of his agenda, as it has been his tendency whenever he comes to Africa," Bishop Mark Kariuki of the Evangelical Alliance, told the Kenyan Daily Nation newspaper on Monday.

"[Obama] should respect the faith, culture and people of Kenya when he comes in July," he added. "He should not put [homosexuality] as one of his main agenda[s] in the country."

And Nairobi Cardinal John Njue, who serves as president of the Kenyan Episcopal Conference, said that Obama has "ruined" American society with his support for gay marriage, Christian Post reports.

"Those people who have already ruined their society … let them not become our teachers to tell us where to go," Njue said. "I think we need to act according to our own traditions and our faiths."

Obama's state visit to Kenya, the country where he traces back part of his heritage, will be his first return trip to the country since he became president, the LA Times noted.

Kenya, a majority Christian country, does not allow gay marriage and criminalizes same-sex acts, as is the case in a number of other African states.

The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has also said that it is wary of Obama's upcoming visit.

"We are not prepared to accept, hear or listen to anyone lecturing us on how our culture is good or bad," said IRCK Chairman Adan Wachu.

oge okonkwo