The Catholic Church in Kenya has declined a donation of approximately $40,000 from President William Ruto, citing ethical concerns and the need to avoid political entanglement.
President Ruto had made the donation during Mass on Sunday at the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, pledging the funds for the construction of a priest’s house, a choir gift, and a parish bus.
He initially handed over 2.6 million Kenyan shillings ($20,000) in cash and promised the remaining amount later.
However, Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi announced the Church would return the funds, emphasizing that such contributions contravened Church directives and Kenyan law.
He also declined similar donations from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, reinforcing the Church’s stance against the use of religious events for political self-promotion.
“The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events as platforms for political self-promotion,” Archbishop Anyolo stated, aligning with guidelines established by Kenyan churches three years ago to curb political influence in religious spaces.
The rejection of the donation comes amidst growing public dissatisfaction with the government. Earlier this year, young activists under the hashtag #OccupyChurch criticized religious institutions for their perceived alliance with politicians, particularly during contentious debates over new tax measures.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a scathing critique of the government, accusing it of fostering corruption, over-taxation, and failing to address unemployment, human rights violations, and a deteriorating education and healthcare system.
President Ruto and his allies have pushed back, with a government senator accusing the clergy of spreading “propaganda” and “falsehoods.” Despite this, Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has publicly supported the Catholic bishops, affirming their critique reflects the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans.
With over 10 million Catholics in Kenya, the Church’s rejection of the donation and its strong stance against political influence highlight deepening tensions between the government and religious institutions.
