Bishop Michael Wanderi’s recent comments about tattoos have sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans. Speaking on Kameme FM’s morning show, the bishop claimed that tattoos bring death to those who have them. He urged young people to avoid getting tattoos in order to avoid this fate.
The bishop’s comments were met with disagreement from some quarters, including Pastor Lizbeth Guchu. In a Facebook post, Guchu accused Wanderi of misleading people. She pointed out that the Bible also forbids wearing clothes made of different fabrics and colors (Leviticus 19:19) and trimming beards and hair (Deuteronomy 22:11), which Wanderi himself does.
Guchu argued that people should not try to fulfill the law, as it is too heavy to bear. She said that Jesus’s yoke is easy and his burden is light, and that Christians should focus on following his teachings instead of trying to obey every rule in the Old Testament.
The bishop’s comments have sparked a debate about the role of religion in modern society. Some people believe that religious leaders should not interfere in people’s personal lives, while others believe that they have a responsibility to speak out against what they see as sin.
The issue of tattoos is a particularly sensitive one in Kenya, where many people view them as a sign of rebellion or immorality. However, there is a growing trend of young people getting tattoos as a way of expressing themselves or showing their individuality.
It remains to be seen how the bishop’s comments will affect this trend. It is likely that some young people will be discouraged from getting tattoos, while others may be more inclined to do so as a way of asserting their independence.
By Nairobi