Will Pope Francis make a powerful change in Kenya?

'[Politicians] will shake hearing from the humble man who doesn't want any riches. I know for sure they will shake and they will change.'

Pope Francis arrived in Nairobi, Kenya today and has already ruffled feathers by choosing to join a resident of a Nairobi slum for dinner, rather than accepting President Uhuru Kenyatta's dinner invitation.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In an act worthy of his title "the humble pontiff," Pope Francis chose to prioritize a speech to Kenyan citizens over an address to the Kenyan parliament, and will be dining in a Nairobi slum rather than eat at the lavish tables of President Kenyatta.

Pope Francis' arrival to Africa coincides with the resignation of a cabinet minster following accusations of corruption as well as millions in missing funds. 

Kenya is one of the world's most corrupt countries, and President Kenyatta was forced to declare corruption a national security threat only two days ago.

The pontiff's humble personality and actions in the country provide a stark contrast to the corruption of Kenyan politicians and, whether intended or not, serves as a bold challenge to initiate change.

Paul Maina, a lab technician from Kangemi, said: "We expect from him advice on how to give services to citizens and not be selfish. Leaders are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The disease that we have is corruption, which is propagated by the leadership."

Father Stephen Okello, a lecturer of philosophy at the Catholic University and coordinator for the papal visit, said Pope Francis "is not going to allow any of the wealth or advantages that come his way because of his status really to reach him."

Father Gabriel Dolan, an Irish priest and newspaper columnist, said the pontiff "doesn't even have to say a lot - but the way he comes, he's taking a hit at [the economic disparities] even before words. I expect he's going to be very provocative to the government: What are you doing to alleviate people's misery?"

Bishop Rodrigo Mejia spoke against the corruption so rampant in Kenya, saying, "The money goes you know where - into the pockets of our city council. We have to make our elected officials be honest and serve everyone."

Unfortunately, the corruption is not limited to politicians. Church leaders have been discovered to waste funds and build extravagant evangelical megachurches - even stealing from church offerings.

Titus Kairani Gichamba, a landscaper and treasurer for Christ the King, an outpost of St. Joseph's, believes Pope Francis has the power to bring about a change no one else has.

"When a person is warned by a Pope, a man of God, there is a lot of impact, more than a politician. [Politicians] will shake hearing from the humble man who doesn't want any riches. I know for sure they will shake and they will change."

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