The Ksh. 5.8 million donation made by President William Ruto to the Catholic Church in Nairobi has yet to be returned, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise. According to Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, the funds have not been handed back to the President, as was initially agreed upon by the church’s leadership.
This donation, which was made in mid-November 2024 during a church service at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, had been rejected by the church following a public announcement by Archbishop Philip Anyolo. The Archbishop made it clear that the church would not accept the financial contribution from the President or Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja due to a standing policy banning such donations. This decision left many questioning the protocols surrounding church donations and the expectations of political figures involved in religious affairs.
During the service, President Ruto made multiple contributions, including a Ksh. 600,000 donation to support the church choir and a Ksh. 200,000 contribution from Governor Sakaja. Additionally, the President pledged Ksh. 2 million for the construction of a parish priest’s house and committed to donating a further Ksh. 3 million for the same project. Moreover, he promised to deliver a bus to the church in January 2025.
However, Archbishop Anyolo’s announcement that the church would not accept these funds caught many off guard. The rejection was based on a broader decision within the church to reject direct monetary gifts from political figures, an issue that has long been a point of contention in Kenya’s political and religious landscape. This move was made to prevent the church from being seen as compromising its independence or aligning with political figures for financial gain.
In the days following the rejection, it was widely believed that the funds would be promptly returned to the President. However, according to Ichung’wah, this has not yet occurred. He emphasized that, contrary to some claims, the money has still not been returned, adding another layer of complexity to an already sensitive issue.
Ichung’wah, known for his outspoken remarks on political matters, did not hold back when addressing the situation. He clarified that he had been informed by some individuals that the money had been returned, but he insisted on receiving official confirmation. “Nasisitiza kwamba mchango ambao Rais William Ruto alitoa kwa Kanisa Katoliki bado haujarudishwa. Nilisikia wengine wakisema kuwa hiyo pesa imerudishwa,” Ichung’wah remarked in a statement, meaning that he is yet to receive confirmation from the relevant parties involved.
The Majority Leader also indicated that once the funds are returned to the President, he will request that the money be allocated to other churches in need. Ichung’wah, whose political career has been closely tied to the President, assured that he had a list of churches awaiting assistance. He further stated that he would ask President Ruto to allocate the funds to those churches instead of letting the money go to waste. “Niko la list mrefu. Nitaomba rais akipata ile ameambiwa atarudishiwa anipatie tuweze kupeleka kwa wengine,” he said, signaling his willingness to redistribute the funds to benefit other religious institutions that might be facing financial challenges.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between politics and religion in Kenya, where donations and gifts from political figures often stir debate over their legitimacy and ethical implications. The Catholic Church’s decision to reject the funds was seen as a step toward maintaining its independence, but the ongoing issue of returning the money suggests that the matter is far from resolved.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how President Ruto and the church will handle the funds in the coming weeks. The public’s reaction, especially from political and religious circles, will likely continue to shape the conversation around political donations and their place in Kenya’s religious institutions.
