Bucking tradition, two major denominations have rejected personal donations from Kenyan President William Ruto. They say the contributions challenge their integrity and independence. While the public and church members applauded the decision, some were worried. This move could threaten the long relationship between churches and the state.
“I think returning the money is good. It is a way of making a statement and teaching the people the right way of giving,” said Rev. Emily Onyango the assistant bishop of Bondo, in western Kenya. Catholic Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Nairobi ordered Sts. Joachim and Ann Church to decline 5 million Kenyan shillings ($40,000) President Ruto planned to donate.
The Anglicans soon followed. They refused another 5 million shilling contribution the president had given to Crispinus Anglican Church in Bungoma. These gifts, which are essential in the poor African nation, are traditionally used for church development, mission work, and humanitarian activities. But critics have drawn attention to the strings that come attached to the President’s charity.
Pastor Kinyanjui in his Dec. 8 sermon at Mwiki Presbyterian Church in Nairobi said “When someone gives 5 million and announces it in church when there are about 700 people who have slept hungry, then why is he giving it? We would rather do without it. If he had brought maize flour, we could cook it.” The pastor called into question whether the main purpose of the gifts was to serve the poor or stroke the ego of President Ruto. Other leaders have raised concerns as well.
Anyolo, a Catholic archbishop, explained that the donations violate both church and national law. He drew attention to ethical concerns and worried that the church was being used as a political prop. The Kenyan leader initially donated 2.6 million shillings for the construction of a parish house for Sts. Joachim and Ann, as a gift to the church’s choir. He had promised to return with the remaining amount, and a parish bus, only to meet resistance from the Archbishop.
After the Catholics refused the money, Ruto turned to their Protestant counterparts. He took the money to an Anglican congregation in Bungoma. According to Anglican Archbishop Jackson Sapit “What happened in Bungoma was unfortunate because it was like a display of trying to see what the Anglican Church would do following the recent decision by the Catholics,”
According to some these donations are almost entirely stolen or embezzled. “We must stop celebrating whenever the president, members of Parliament, governors, members of county assemblies, and other political actors donate money whose sources are not clear,” said the chairman of the National Council of Churches of Kenya Rev. Elias Otieno Agola.
“Lies and falsehood have been elevated to the point where no one knows what to believe anymore,” said Agola. He pointed out the hypocrisy of giving publicly to churches while many fear government oppression. Many human rights advocates have been kidnapped for their beliefs. However, Ruto has vowed to keep donating to churches. He says that his faith compels him to do so. According to the leader, he’s built 30 churches in as many years.