The politics of donations: Why Ruto’s church gifts are meeting resistance
The President said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against Kenya”, adding that those opposing church contributions “will fail”.
When police on Sunday fired tear gas to disperse protesters who tried to occupy Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Roysambu over President William Ruto’s Sh20 million donation, they were reacting to anger from a section of Kenyans who are unhappy with the political class over the display of opulence despite difficult economic times.
The Eastleigh Voice spoke to a section of activists who took to the church to stage a protest against Ruto’s donations.
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Mukuru Social Justice Center’s Anami Daudi said the president has shown insensitivity to the suffering of Kenyans by donating unaccountable huge amounts of money to churches instead of delivering on his promises.
“What he donates doubles threefold to what he earns. The question should be where does he get this money that he keeps dishing out to churches,” Anami asked.
The confrontation between angry Kenyans opposed to religious donations and politics is likely to continue after Ruto announced defiance, lashing out at those criticising his church donations despite his austerity pledge last year.
At a Sunday service at AIC Fellowship Annex in Eldoret, Ruto labelled those concerned over his handouts “people who don’t believe in God” and maintained that he will continue “supporting God’s work.”
“The devil is very proud… There is a lot of controversy in this country about giving in churches, building sanctuaries and the place of God in Kenya,” he told the congregation.
“As the President of this Republic, by God’s grace, I want to say this: The Bible, in Daniel 11:32, tells us those who know their God will be strong and do great exploits. God will be known in this country, and this nation will do great exploits.”
The President said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against Kenya”, adding that those opposing church contributions “will fail”.
“They will not succeed,” said Ruto. “Because they will not overcome us.” Consequently, Ruto matched the AIC Fellowship Annex’s contribution at a recent fundraiser by twice the amount, telling the bishop: “Whatever was contributed last week, multiply it by two and send me the invoice.”
In November last year, the Catholic Church rejected a donation of Sh5.6 million he had offered towards the building of a priest’s house and as a gift to the choir during mass at the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi.
The donation followed a recent statement by Catholic bishops, who had hit out at the government for failing to fulfil their electoral promises.
Churches have been under pressure this year from young anti-tax protesters who have accused them of being too close to politicians.
Reverend Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry Church (left) when he was hosted by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on March 6, 2025. (Photo: PCS)
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The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, said the cash would be returned over "ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes".
He also declined his other pledges and said a donation of Sh200,000 made by the Governor of Nairobi, Johnson Sakaja - who attended the same service, was also being handed back.
"The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events such as fundraisers and gatherings as platforms for political self-promotion," Archbishop Anyolo said.
In a scathing attack, catholic clerics have been raising issues about over-taxation, corruption, violation of human rights, freedom of speech, unemployment as well as a "crumbling" education system and healthcare services.
Kenyans, especially those on online platforms have castigated Ruto’s donations. Joachim Omolo in his X page questioned where the president is getting the monies that he keeps donating in churches.
“Ruto is giving Sh20 million to Jesus Winners Ministry church's construction, promising a further donation at upcoming Harambee. Where is Ruto getting this huge money? Could it be the 2.5% siphoned from an unknown SHA account? Bishop Edward Mwai must be forced to surrender this money,” said Joachim.
Activist Francis Gaitho accused a section of the clergy of remaining silent at the ills bedevilling the country but were warning to pocket donations whose sources are questionable.
“This is the Religious Apocalypse. The church’s silence in the face of economic collapse, abductions and police killings, healthcare defunding, yet they can host press conferences to defend illicit donations by demonic politicians like William Ruto, is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” posted Gaitho on his X page.
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