Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has publicly apologized to Catholic Bishops for any unintended wrongdoings after the government’s donation of Sh5.6 million to the Church was rejected. The donation, made by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on November 17, was met with strong opposition from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), citing ethical concerns and the potential political implications of such gifts.
Sudi’s apology came after the bishops turned down the financial contribution during a church visit to Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi. The rejection was led by Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Anyolo, who said the donation would be returned due to “ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes.” In a statement issued shortly after the visit, Anyolo emphasized that the Church does not endorse the use of church events, such as fundraisers, for political self-promotion. The donation included Sh2 million for the construction of the Father’s House, Sh600,000 for the choir, and a promise of an additional Sh3 million along with a parish bus. Governor Sakaja had also contributed Sh200,000.
In his apology, Sudi, who is a staunch ally of the president, acknowledged that the government might have inadvertently wronged the bishops by making such contributions directly to the grassroots church without consulting them. “Nataka niwaombe msamaha kwa sababu labda sisi tunawakosea saa ingine tunaenda kanisa pale chini kumbe labda mlikuwa mnataka mpitiwe ndio tufike pale,” he stated. Loosely translated, he expressed regret for potentially bypassing the bishops’ role in overseeing donations, and suggested that the government should have followed the proper channels to avoid any misunderstanding.
The rejection of the donation by the bishops has sparked a wider debate about the role of the Church in politics and its relationship with the government. While the Church has consistently upheld its stance against political interference, Sudi questioned the motives behind the rejection, suggesting that many congregants were in need of such funds. He argued that the bishops’ decision was not aligned with the needs of the Church members, who, according to him, have been regularly asking for financial assistance in various forms, including harambees (fundraisers).
Sudi further expressed his bewilderment over the bishops’ decision, questioning why they would reject the financial assistance when many of their congregants and local churches desperately needed the funds for development purposes. He even suggested that the decision could hinder the progress of the Church, particularly in the construction of the Father’s House, a project meant to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation.
In reiterating his apology, Sudi made it clear that his stance was not an attack on the Church but rather an acknowledgment of the complexities involved in balancing political donations and ethical concerns. “I will again apologize to the bishops if we wronged you by going to the church at the grassroots without you,” he said. He also urged the Church leaders to focus on guiding the country in the right direction instead of sowing divisions.
At the same time, the MP called on the Church to recognize the positive contributions the government has made, especially in terms of development, even as they continue to criticize areas where they feel the government has fallen short. He emphasized that all individuals, including political leaders and religious figures, are human and should accept their imperfections.
This apology and the wider controversy surrounding the rejected donation underscore the delicate balance between politics and religion in Kenya. The government’s role in supporting religious institutions and the broader public remains a point of contention, especially when the Church perceives such gestures as attempts to gain political leverage. The Catholic Church, through the KCCB, has reaffirmed its commitment to remaining neutral in political matters, seeking to focus on spiritual guidance and moral advocacy rather than being drawn into partisan politics.
As the government navigates this complex issue, it remains to be seen how the relationship between the Church and state will evolve in the coming months, especially as the country approaches the 2027 elections. The incident serves as a reminder of the intertwined nature of politics, religion, and development in Kenya, and the potential consequences of even well-intentioned gestures.
