Religion and Politics in Kenya Essays in Honor of a Meddlesome Priest [Hardcover]

Addresses the various political aspects of the Kenyan political mosaic during the time of Bishop David Gitari, later Archbishop 1997-2002. These essays focus on both this courageous man and the various aspects of the political mosaic in Kenya at that time to 2008, in an effort to bring out the religious dimensions of Kenyan and African politics.Strange But Inevitable Bedfellows; B.Knighton PART I: THE RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND TO POLITICS IN KENYA Christianity Co-opted; J.Lonsdale Faith Engaging Politics; P.Benson PART II: THE BISHOP MEDDLING IN POLITICS 'Was There No Naboth to Say No?'; G.Sabar The Relevance of Gitari's Model after the 2007 Kenyan Elections; J.Gathogo The Church and Islam; J.Chesworth PART III: THE CHURCHE'S INVOLVEMENT IN CONTEMPORARY ISSUES The National Council of Churches of Kenya and the Struggle Against 'Ethnic Clashes'; J.Klopp Christianity Co-opted; P.Gifford Muingiki Madness; B.Knighton

Ben Knighton's edited volume is an interesting, important, and timely book which marks one of the few concerted efforts to interrogate the complex and ambiguous relationship between religion and politics in Kenya. - African Affairs

A rich volume full of original insight. This book is a genuinely valuable and necessary contribution to the study of Kenya, and indeed religion and politics in Africa. - Africa

Without drawing sharp distinctions between winners and losers in Kenyan politics, this interesting book does sketch out the critically important work of Archbishop Gitari in opposing corruption during the presidency of Daniel arap Moi, and in establishing an independent, influential - and continuing - voice for the Anglican Church. - The Living Church

This book provides scholars from a variety of backgrounds and approaches a series of essays on David Gitari and broader issues of religious actors' role in Kenyan politics. - The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs