Anti-riot police clashed with protesters on Sunday afternoon along Thika Road in Nairobi’s Roysambu area after a group attempted to block the highway near the Jesus Winner Ministry church. The demonstration was sparked by President William Ruto’s pledge to donate Ksh.20 million to the church, along with an additional Ksh.100 million for an upcoming construction fundraiser.
The protest, organized under the #OccupyJesusWinner hashtag, had been gaining traction online over the past week. However, when demonstrators arrived at the church premises, they found it heavily guarded by police officers. Unable to access the compound, they resorted to blocking the adjacent superhighway, lighting fires, and erecting barricades in an attempt to disrupt traffic.
Citizen Digital reported scenes of chaos as police moved in to disperse the protesters and restore order near the Roysambu roundabout. Officers used tear gas to break up the crowd, while motorists experienced temporary delays due to the unrest.
At the heart of the controversy is Bishop Edward Mwai, the leader of Jesus Winner Ministry, who has come under fire for accepting President Ruto’s sizable donation despite the government’s recent austerity measures. Critics argue that such a large sum should be directed toward public welfare instead of private religious institutions.
Addressing congregants during the Sunday service, Bishop Mwai dismissed the protests, claiming he knew the individuals behind the demonstrations and accusing them of manipulating young people for political reasons.
“People I know very well used them and even sent some here today. Someday, they will know there is God’s presence at this altar. May God forgive our children who are being used in such a manner,” he said.
The bishop maintained that his church was peaceful and that some demonstrators had infiltrated the compound under false pretenses. He assured his followers that he harbored no ill feelings toward his critics.
“I leave it to God; may he forgive them,” Mwai concluded.
As tensions continue to simmer over the donation, the incident has reignited debate over the relationship between politics and the church in Kenya, with many questioning the ethical implications of large financial contributions to religious institutions.
