The Guardian of 8 July 1997 has a photograph which takes us immediately into the world of evangelical politics in Kenya. It shows pro-democracy demonstrators fleeing as police open fire. Amongst them are clergymen clutching Bibles. The police chased demonstrators into the Anglican Cathedral; later, the evangelical archbishop held a service to cleanse the cathedral from its profanation by the police.

Kenya is a predominantly Protestant country, in which the Anglican Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK) is the most important religious institution, and in which evangelical Anglicanism holds a crucial position. Politically, while avoiding African socialism and military coups, Kenya followed as long as possible the one-party model, and then practised ‘concession without conversion’ (Joseph 1997: 375). President Moi learnt to manipulate the opposition and make gestures to earn approval from foreign donors. Even though opposition votes in 1992 exceeded those for Moi, the latter won, thanks to opposition divisions. The semi-authoritarian model was consolidated at the 1997 elections.

Kenya seemingly follows Gifford's rule: mainline church leaders oppose one-party regimes, but ‘evangelical, charismatic and pentecostal churches’ support tottering dictators (1994b: 528). Moi, a member of the Africa Inland Church, plays the Christian card to advantage; the state media portrays him as God-fearing and shows him every Sunday in church. His attendance is reciprocated by the flattered church leader.