Kenya’s Catholic Church has firmly declined a donation of approximately $40,000 from President William Ruto, citing ethical concerns and the need to prevent political influence on religious institutions. The money was initially pledged during a Sunday Mass at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, where the president had made the offer to support the construction of a priest’s house and as a gift to the church choir.
The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, announced that the cash donation of 2.6 million Kenyan shillings ($20,000) would be returned. Additionally, Ruto’s promises of providing the parish with a bus and contributing more funds later were also declined. Governor Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi, who attended the service and donated 200,000 Kenyan shillings, faced a similar rejection from the church.
Archbishop Anyolo emphasized that the Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of religious events for political self-promotion. He pointed out that accepting such donations would contravene both church directives and Kenyan law. The decision to return the funds highlights the growing tension between churches and political leaders in Kenya, a nation where over 80% of the population identifies as Christian.
This development comes against the backdrop of increasing criticism of Kenyan churches by young anti-tax protesters, who accuse religious institutions of being overly aligned with political interests. Earlier this year, protests erupted in response to the government’s proposed tax hikes. Demonstrators accused churches of failing to stand with the public, especially during the deadly protests sparked by the controversial finance bill, which was ultimately withdrawn due to widespread backlash.
Using the social media hashtag #OccupyChurch, protesters accused religious leaders of siding with the government rather than championing the grievances of ordinary citizens. This criticism has added to the perception that some churches are too closely intertwined with political power.
The Catholic Church’s rejection of Ruto’s donation has also rekindled a debate about the longstanding ties between churches and political institutions in Kenya. Three years ago, established churches imposed a ban on politicians using pulpits for political purposes in exchange for donations. However, the perception of a close relationship between the two persists, with some alleging that churches have not done enough to distance themselves from political influence.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a scathing statement accusing the government of perpetuating a “culture of lies.” The bishops raised concerns about issues such as corruption, over-taxation, unemployment, violations of human rights, and deteriorating public services in healthcare and education. The statement highlighted a growing loss of trust in the government, even during what appears to be a period of relative calm.
“Despite the calmness we are experiencing, there is a lot of anxiety, and most people are losing trust in the government,” the bishops said.
President Ruto appeared to respond to the clergy’s criticisms by cautioning against the spread of misinformation. He urged religious leaders to ensure accuracy in their statements to avoid being accused of the very practices they denounce. Aaron Cheruiyot, a government-aligned senator, also criticized the church, accusing it of spreading “propaganda, fake news, and falsehoods.”
Despite these accusations, the Catholic Church has found support from other denominations. Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit defended the Catholic bishops’ stance, saying they accurately reflected the concerns of ordinary Kenyans.
“Calling church leaders names or dismissing the bishops’ statement as ‘misleading, erroneous, and false’ is itself dishonest,” Archbishop Ole Sapit said. “The bishops have spoken the minds of Kenyans and faithfully expressed the truth as things are on the ground.”
Kenya’s Christian population includes about 10 million Catholics, representing roughly 20% of the population, according to government statistics. Other denominations, such as evangelical and Anglican churches, make up the remainder of the Christian demographic. The rejection of President Ruto’s donation is a significant moment in the relationship between churches and the state, reflecting a broader shift towards greater independence and a more critical stance on governance issues.
The Catholic Church’s decision to reject the funds underscores its commitment to maintaining ethical standards and preventing the politicization of religious spaces. It also reflects a growing demand for accountability from religious institutions in Kenya, as citizens call for churches to play a more active role in addressing societal issues rather than aligning with political leaders.
This incident marks a critical juncture in the evolving relationship between Kenya’s religious institutions and its political leadership. The Catholic Church’s firm stance sends a message that religious spaces should remain free from political influence, even as the government continues to face criticism for its handling of economic and social challenges.
