"I forgive you!" Jesus Winner Ministry's Bishop Mwai's message to online critics

Jesus Winner Ministry founder Bishop Edward Mwai has urged authorities to release youths arrested outside his church on Sunday, saying he had forgiven them.

Addressing his congregation, the cleric extended forgiveness to those who had insulted him online and planned a raid on his church.

Mwai disclosed that the detained youths were apprehended by police officers stationed around the church early Sunday morning, in response to a planned demonstration following President William Ruto’s controversial Sh20 million donation to the church.

He, however, clarified that the arrested individuals were not members of his church, despite wearing clothing bearing the ministry's imprint. He claimed they were hired goons sent by unnamed individuals.

Reports suggested that the detained youths were later released from Kasarani Police Station where they were held.

“To all who have insulted me and called me names, I forgive you all. While on this pulpit, I want to declare that I have forgiven you. I won’t fight you, but let God deal with you. But you will one day come to appreciate that God lives in this church. I know who sent them, and others have been arrested with phones; I forgave them and asked the police to release them,” the preacher said.

Reports indicate that over 20 youths had been arrested in response to the planned protests.

Bishop Mwai has been at the centre of public scrutiny following a multi-million shilling pledge made by President Ruto on March 2.

While attending a service at the church, Ruto pledged Sh120 million towards the construction of a new church.

Bishop Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry Church says he has forgiven those who trolled him online and has called for the release of those arrested outside his church on Sunday in Roysambu. pic.twitter.com/yxX1Ev0E1c

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) March 9, 2025

Sparked outrage

The pledge sparked public outrage, with a section of Kenyans condemning the donation as proceeds of corruption. Critics took to social media to express their displeasure, with some calling for protests under the banner ‘Occupy Jesus Winner’ to reclaim what they claimed were taxpayer funds.

However, Mwai defended the president’s visit, arguing that past leaders, including former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki, had also attended the church. He noted that even former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had visited the ministry before.

Despite the criticism, Mwai remained defiant, thanking his congregation for standing by him.

“Kuna watu waliingia kwa mtandao, bloggers ndio wakaona sasa wapate nafasi ya kunipiga. Nimeitwa majina mingi mbaya but you have stood with me. God bless you,” he said.

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Bishop Mwai also announced that 5,000 job opportunities were available for Kenyans in South Korea through a partnership with his church. He revealed that Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua would make an official announcement regarding the jobs within the next two weeks.

“There are more jobs. We have 5,000 job opportunities in Korea, and the recruitment will be done. Those people will be here in the next two weeks. We will announce them officially with the Labour CS,” he said.

He advised job seekers to follow government directives before applying and warned against paying fees for recruitment services that were not officially sanctioned.

“Those who applied for the other jobs should not pay for the countries which were not on the list. You should also not pay before you are given the go-ahead from the government,” he said.

Mwai noted that his goal was to help youth secure opportunities, regardless of their religious affiliations. He argued that this effort was one of the reasons many young people did not participate in the planned protest against him.

“My wish is to see the youth get these opportunities. I didn’t choose or specify that they should just be from Jesus Winner Ministry,” he said.

“I think that is why the youth did not turn up for the protest because they have realized I am helping them.”

The cleric further criticised politicians whom he accused of misleading the youth instead of improving their livelihoods.

“Some people are destroying the youth because they have nothing to offer, but we are helping to get jobs abroad so that they can benefit,” he said.