The Catholic Church in Kenya has rejected a multi-million donation that was made by President William Ruto over the weekend. The money had been donated on Sunday November 17 when the president attended a service at the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi.
During the service, President Ruto donated Sh. 600,000 to the choir and Sh. 2 million for the construction of the Father’s House. He also made a promise of an additional Sh. 3 million and a parish bus. During the service, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja contributed Sh. 200,000.
“In adherence to the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024 under Section 10(2), it is deemed that any person who solicits or receives money or a benefit conducts a fundraising appeal, regardless of whether the representation made was direct or indirect. Such fundraising appeals require a permit in accordance with the Bill,” the church stated.
“The donations made to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, 17th November 2024, are in violation of the law. These include the Nairobi Governor’s donation of Sh. 200,000 to the parish choir and the Parish Missionary Council (PMC), the President’s donation of Sh. 600,000 to the choir and PMC, and Sh. 2 million for the construction of the Father’s house.”
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The Catholic Church now says that any money that was donated at the church shall be returned to those who made the donations including the president.
“The donations shall be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Sh. 3 million for the construction of the Father’s house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the president are hereby declined,” the church stated.
“Politicians are most welcome to attend Church for their spiritual nourishment, but they are encouraged to do so as ordinary Christians, without leveraging their political gain.”
The visit to the Catholic church and the donations came hot on the heels of a statement by the Catholic church that sharply criticized President Ruto’s government, leading to an uproar from members of the UDA party whose leader is President Ruto.
Among the grievances the Catholic church bishops had raised were over taxation, perpetual lies by senior government officials, violations of human rights, increased incidents of abductions, and mismanagement of the economy and the health sector.
