A church leader has said the ongoing talks on political coalitions may cause violence in the forthcoming elections. Bishop Bernard Okello, the Eastern and Central Africa head of the Lifeline Christian International Church, said the alliance talks are based on tribal and ethnic gains.

"Politicians should remember that what happened in 2007-08 was triggered by tribal groupings," Okello said. He was addressing journalists at Rongo town yesterday.

The cleric warned political parties against bribing Kenyans to cause violence saying leadership is a gift from God and can never be bought. Okello asked religious leaders to avoid taking sides on political issues.

He said tribal churches should be banned from Kenya and that the church has the duty to advise and pray for any leader without prejudice.