NAIROBI, Kenya (ChatnewsTV) — The Catholic Church in Kenya has refused a donation of around $40,000 from President William Ruto, citing concerns over political influence. President Ruto had pledged the funds for the construction of a priest’s house and as a gift to the choir during Sunday Mass at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi. The donation came on the heels of recent criticism by Catholic bishops, who accused the government of failing to keep its electoral promises.
Archbishop Philip Anyolo, the Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, announced the decision to return the money and decline other commitments made by President Ruto during the service.
“The cash will be returned over ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes,” he stated.
Archbishop Anyolo emphasized that donations tied to church gatherings should not serve as platforms for political self-promotion. He further noted that accepting such contributions would violate church directives and potentially breach Kenyan law.
Also returned was a separate donation of 200,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,350) from Nairobi’s Governor Johnson Sakaja, who was present at the same church service.
The rejection has put a spotlight on the strained relationship between Kenya’s religious institutions and its political leaders. Churches have faced criticism this year from young anti-tax activists who accuse them of aligning too closely with the government. These protesters, many of whom belong to the so-called “Gen Z” generation, have organized under the hashtag #OccupyChurch, a movement that emerged after churches were seen as silent during demonstrations against controversial new taxes.
In July, mass protests forced President Ruto’s administration to withdraw a contentious finance bill amid public outcry. Last week, Kenya’s Catholic bishops, through the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a stern rebuke of the government’s performance, condemning what they described as a “culture of lies” and raising concerns about over-taxation, corruption, unemployment, and deteriorating public services.
“Despite the calmness we are experiencing, there is a lot of anxiety and most people are losing trust in the government,” the bishops’ statement read.
President Ruto responded to the church’s criticism by urging clergy to “give factual information” and avoid spreading misinformation. His ally, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, echoed this sentiment, accusing church leaders of being “purveyors of propaganda.”
The controversy has revealed the fraying ties between Kenya’s churches and political elite. Though politicians were banned three years ago from speaking at church services in exchange for donations, perceptions of close relationships persist. Over 80% of Kenyans identify as Christian, with about 10 million Catholics making up roughly 20% of the population.
The Anglican Church of Kenya, another major Christian denomination, has come to the defense of the Catholic bishops. Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit supported their stance, stating, “The [Catholic] bishops have spoken the minds of Kenyans and faithfully expressed the truth as things are on the ground.” He criticized attempts to discredit the Catholic Church’s position as “dishonest.”
