A section of Muslim faithful have lashed out at their spiritual leaders for allowing President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, to take part in salah (prayers).
Ruto and Gachagua participated in the prayers after being hosted for Iftar dinner at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The event was organised by the Eastleigh Business District Association.
The dinner was punctuated by political speeches, with Gachagua lamenting that the religious community had traditionally voted for Raila despite Ruto having supported Muslims in various development projects.
Gachagua claimed that Raila had not helped Muslims to build even a single mosque. He asked Muslims to elect Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
However, that was not what sparked an internet discussion among Muslims.
Encouraging Ruto and Gachagua to join Muslims in prayers and the rituals involved was the main concern.
The two top leaders struggled with gestures during the prayers.
Many Muslims noted that they violated the Islamic spiritual rules by allowing the duo to pray with them.
“I remember last Ramadhan our Imam, Jamaludin, of jamia mosque apologised for leading a prayer at State House just like this? And today, the same thing is repeated and it’s very wrong… no one is allowed to perform swalah without taking shahada and udhu. This an insult to Muslims’ salah,” Abdulahi Adan tweeted.
Tache Dabaso: “Camouflaging in religion and unleashing an attack because of homegrown political wrangles and differences is unacceptable!”
“Ruto and Gachagua are now using religion to favour their end game to a point where they are putting on kanzus and going to pray with Muslims. I thought this was the premium Spotify of religion that they can smell Bs from afar?” another netizen asked.
However, some Muslims did not see what the furore was about.
Mohamed Tache: “There’s a world of difference btw religious spirituality an religious harmony. President Ruto & DP Gachagua weren’t doing spiritual act as understood & practiced by Muslims. They joined the Muslims to promote inter-religious harmony, not for spiritual nourishment, which is okay.”
