Munyao, MartinKithuka, Elizabeth2022-04-262022-04-262021Munyao, M., & Kithuka, E. (2021). The Role of Religion in Public Life in Kaunda C.J. (2021 ed) Religion, Gender, and Wellbeing in Africa. Rowman & Littlefield978-1-79361-803-0https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356492681_The_Role_of_Religion_in_Public_LifeBook ChapterWhen the World Health Organization (WHO) chief declared the COVID-19 spread to be a global pandemic, renowned global philanthropist Melinda Gates of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation projected that Africa was waiting to see hundreds of thousands of fatalities. She cited weak economies, poor healthcare systems, increasing slum dwellings, lack of clean water, and high rates of poverty as some of the reasons why COVID-19 was going to ravage Africa. Contrariwise, Africa has not experienced high Coronavirus cases compared to the USA, Europe, and Asia. However, the pandemic has revealed what human rights activists have been decrying of Africa for decades, namely, widespread economic disparities and social inequalities. The pandemic is disparaging Africa not by COVID-19 related sicknesses and death, but by exposing the already existing dysfunctional political, economic, and social systems. At the center of the said dysfunction amidst a pandemic are religious institutions which often have acted as an adhesive in the society. Not only do religious organizations bring people together for worship but also do shape life and morality amongst communities. However, in the recent past, the religious space has delegated that role to secondary parties such as civil society organizations. There is less and less public engagement on matters of politics and push for socio-economic reforms. As containment measures against further spread of the Coronavirus, the religious places of worship were considered as ‘nonessential’ need. While from a public health standpoint it is known that this was a containment measure to curb the COVID-19 spread, it symbolically brings in the question of whether religious institutions rose to the occasion as a public defender. This is even though African life is fundamentally rooted in religious foundations. In this chapter, the authors will firstly discuss the role of religious institutions during the COVID-19 period on the public. Secondly, the paper will analyze the impact of COVID19 on gender issues in Kenya. Lastly, the authors will suggest viable options for restoring the prophetic voice of various religious institutions in Kenya’s public life in the event of future global crises for sustainable developmentenRole of ReligionPublic LifeBook chapter