Religious leaders from Nyeri have urged young protesters to reconsider their plans to occupy Jesus Winner Ministry headquarters in Roysambu, Nairobi. The calls come in response to growing discontent over a Ksh 20 million donation given to the church by President William Ruto on March 2.
The clergy defended Bishop Edward Mwai, who accepted the donation, asserting that the church has no means of verifying the legitimacy of financial contributions. Reverend Veronica Waruguru of Jesus Winner Ministry in Nyeri emphasized that the church operates in faith when it receives donations.
“We have no means of determining whether money donated to the church is clean or dirty,” Waruguru stated. She urged the youth to refrain from demonstrating at the church and instead use the place for prayer and worship.
Reverend Benson Mwangi supported Bishop Mwai’s decision to accept the funds, noting that churches often rely on donations to support charitable activities such as caring for orphans, widows, and the underprivileged.
“Bishop Mwai was right in accepting the money because he is doing what he is supposed to do—taking care of vulnerable members of society,” Mwangi remarked. He also encouraged other religious leaders to receive donations without questioning their origins, emphasizing the role of churches in fostering social welfare.
Reverend Martin Mwangi was more direct in his plea to Gen Z, urging them to abandon any plans to protest at the church. “My appeal to Gen Zs is: do not go there to demonstrate. Just go there to pray and worship,” he urged.
The controversy over the donation comes amid growing scrutiny of President Ruto’s engagement with religious institutions. On March 6, the President hosted Bishop Mwai at State House, just days after the donation. The meeting highlighted the close relationship between the church and the government, with Ruto reiterating his commitment to supporting religious institutions.
Ruto has also pledged to mobilize an additional Ksh 100 million from his associates to support the construction of the church, which is estimated to cost Ksh 1 billion. The President took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm his engagement with the bishop and to express his appreciation for the role Jesus Winner Ministry plays in national development.
“Met the Reverend Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry Church at State House, Nairobi. He also shared with me the progress of the church’s construction in Roysambu,” Ruto wrote.
The President further lauded the church for its involvement in the government’s Kazi Majuu program, which seeks to provide Kenyan youth with employment opportunities abroad. Jesus Winner Ministry hosted thousands of job seekers during the recruitment drive, a move that Ruto praised as a valuable contribution to national development.
The planned demonstration by Gen Z protesters highlights the growing tension between Kenya’s younger generation and the political establishment. Many young people have been vocal critics of the government’s financial allocations, particularly regarding donations to religious organizations while economic hardships persist.
The protests also reflect broader concerns about the intersection of religion and politics in Kenya. While churches have historically played a significant role in governance, the increasing involvement of religious institutions in political matters has sparked debates about transparency and accountability.
As the debate rages on, the clergy’s plea to Gen Z remains clear: respect the sanctity of places of worship. Whether this call will be heeded remains to be seen, as the youth continue to push for greater financial accountability from both the government and religious institutions.
