Nyanza Prophetic Clergy chairman Bishop Tom Obingo has defended the government’s proposed sale of Safaricom shares, saying the move would help finance infrastructure development across the country.
Speaking during a church service at Voice of Salvation and Healing Church in Tiengre, Bishop Obingo criticised opposition leaders who have opposed the plan, accusing them of standing in the way of development.
He said proceeds from the sale would improve infrastructure and benefit ordinary Kenyans, particularly in areas that remain underserved.
Bishop Obingo also claimed that some opposition leaders were resisting the proposal because they believed its success would boost President William Ruto’s political standing ahead of the next General Election.
He urged the government to proceed with the sale despite criticism.
The bishop, who was accompanied by the NPC Programmes Coordinator, Dr Evans Ongati, said many parts of the country still lacked adequate infrastructure and argued that funds raised through the share sale could help bridge those gaps.
He also called on Kenyans to support President Ruto’s bid for a second term, saying the president’s development record “speaks for itself”.
Backing the broad-based government arrangement, Bishop Obingo said it had benefited the Nyanza region through increased development projects.
On security, the cleric urged politicians to stop attacking police officers without justification.
“Even the officers have rights just like every other Kenyan. They should not be called all manner of names,” he said.
He said allegations against security officers should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and noted that leaders who criticised the police still relied on their services.
Bishop Obingo also condemned violence during the Saba Saba commemorations, saying those responsible for the unrest should be held accountable and that the event should have been conducted peacefully.
He urged people who claimed to have been victims of police brutality not to allow themselves to be exploited for political purposes.
During the prayer meeting, several young people were registered as voters.
Bishop Obingo said his organisation aims to register 300,000 new voters across the Nyanza region ahead of the next General Election.
He also said the latest Infotrak opinion poll, which he said placed President Ruto ahead of his rivals, accurately reflected public opinion on the ground.
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