Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi Philip Anyolo.
Politicians want to publicly give part of their monetary wealth to God through the pulpit but spiritual leaders are split on whether to accept or reject the donations.
The government is at loggerheads with mainstream churches, especially Catholics and Anglicans, who now want President Ruto to take back the millions of shillings donated recently.
On November 18, Catholic head, Archbishop Phillip Anyolo, ordered the Sh5.6 million President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated to Soweto Parish be returned.
The President also gave Sh2 million for the parish priest’s house, Sh600,000 to the choir and the Pontifical Missionary Childhood and promised Sh3 million for a bus.
In a statement, Archbishop Anyolo said the “political donations” to Soweto Catholic Church were in violation of the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill, 2024.
He added that the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has maintained a stance on politicians donating money to churches.
Last week, the Anglican Church of Kenya head, Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit, also ordered a branch in Bungoma County to return Dr Ruto’s Sh5 million donation.
The President, through Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, had donated the money to Crispinus Anglican Church.
Donating to churches has become such a hot potato that it could become a determinant of the 2027 elections.
The Gen Zs taking part in the month-long countrywide protests that started on June 25 warned politicians against using the pulpit to flaunt their “ill-gotten” wealth.
While some religious leaders are demanding that donations by politicians be returned – on grounds that the money could be proceeds of corruption and aimed at promoting a culture of tokenism – others are keeping the cash.
Early this week, President Ruto talked of an “evil spirit” opposing everything, including church donations.
Mainstream churches
The President’s followers have not taken the decision by the two mainstream churches, which they see as humiliation, lightly.
National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wa told the churches to “return the money with speed since other needy clergy will be waiting to receive it”.
“We do not give the money to the clergy but to God. It should not be that my money was good when I was not a politician,” the Kikuyu MP said.
Mr Lusaka told the Sunday Nation on Friday that he sees nothing wrong with “donating towards God’s work”.
“I urge the clergy to engage political leaders with respect since we all are serving one people,” the Bungoma governor said.
He added that the debate on church donations lacks decorum and is based on propaganda.
When asked by the Sunday Nation to clarify his stand, Archbishop Anyolo responded with an October 5, 2019 statement signed by him, in which Catholic bishops set rules on donations.
“Contributions...will be by mobile money transfer or cheque. This will...give a clear trail of the donors. Churches will not be used as political platforms or for any other motive other than for the liturgy and worship of God,” he said.
Kenya Cultural Centre Council Board Chairman Kung’u Muigai criticised the stance taken by some religious leaders.
“During the campaigns, these clergy put the Bible down and picked baskets to collect money from politicians. They should shut up,” he said.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka have aligned themselves with the clergy.
“The state must listen to the clergy. We cannot take dictatorship out of the political space and invade the Church. If the Church says it does not want politicians carrying money in sacks into the house of God, that should be the rule,” Mr Gachagua said.
Some analysts are talking of a political cause being advanced and packaged in churches.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu says President Ruto stirred the waters of church donations.
“We have been donating without the clergy raising an eyebrow. However, the President and his allies have transformed the gesture of giving thanks to the Lord into a boisterous show of opulence,” he said.
“Giving to God is a silent affair. The government wants to give as if God is in hiding and should be loudly called out to show up and receive His tithe.”
Bishop William Miriti, a theologian and chairperson of the Indigenous Churches Forum, says the debate is jumbled.
He says the government recently said it would come up with a law to govern donations. He adds that a government saying there is a need to regulate giving “clearly admits that it is being abused”.
He said the nature of political giving to God is packaged in a way that raises concern about the source of the cash.
“What is not in dispute is that politicians are free to give to God. The question is how. Besides corrupt politicians, there are criminals among brethren who give silently,” he said, adding that politicians are starting a class war.
A December 6, 2024 statement by the Church and Clergy Association of Kenya chaired by Bishop Hudson Ndeda reads mischief in the rejection of the donations.
Benefited from donations
Bishop Ndeda argues that the Church has benefited from donations since the days of Jesus Christ.
“Indeed, the Church cannot achieve much without donations as it is essentially a non-profit organisation. It, therefore, follows that donations are important for the advancement of the work of the gospel,” he said.
Bishop Ndeda faults those refunding political donations, saying the leaders attend churches upon invitation.
“Why wait until you receive the offering and then go to the media to announce the rejection? These leaders were members of our churches even before joining politics,” he said.
Bishop Ndeda adds that Kenyans would treat the churches seriously if they backdate all the offerings, gifts, donations and assets they have received from politicians and returned them.
Said Mr Jonah Kiplagat, a worshipper participating in an online debate about the issue: “According to you, it is only politicians who steal? If you have never sinned, be the first to throw the first stone.”
He was responding to a December 4, 2024 Motorists Association of Kenya post that celebrated the stance of the churches.
Bishop James Gitahi of the Priesthood Ministries, says the Church wants to seal the avenue used by political actors to use the pulpit and the Bible to hoodwink Kenyans and get to power.
“Instead of beating about the bush, the message being advanced is that the Church will not be donated to politicians to cheat their way back or into power,” he said.
