Officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) have been spotted around the Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Nairobi’s Roysambu after a section of Kenyans online threatened to occupy the church over the head pastor’s decision to accept a Ksh20 million donation from President William Ruto.
According to videos shared online, a heavy contingent of officers were stationed at the church’s gates, while others patrolled its precincts, inspecting the surroundings for any potential intruders.
Photographs shared on social media platforms also depicted the officers armed with firearms, while others wielded batons as congregants began arriving for the service.
The heightened security presence comes in anticipation of the threats to occupy the church by a section of Kenyans, who have condemned the pastor’s decision to accept the substantial donation from the head of state, arguing that it is inappropriate given the country’s ongoing economic hardships.
The donation was made on Sunday, March 2, 2025, during President Ruto’s visit to the church, which is led by Bishop Edward Mwai.
During the service, Ruto surprised attendees by pledging to rally his associates to contribute an additional Ksh100 million to the church, asserting that he was no longer bowing to pressure from the clergy, who had criticised his practice of making donations to religious institutions.
“You know, I have often been criticised for giving offerings in church. But when we give to God, we do not give to human beings. Offerings are not for Bishop Mwai, nor for the congregation—we give to God,” he stated.
The president also addressed the backlash he has faced over his generosity towards churches, dismissing critics as envious.
He argued that he had never encountered any biblical verse prohibiting monetary contributions to places of worship.
“I have searched the Bible extensively, and as someone with some knowledge of scripture, I have never found a verse that says giving to God means the donation must be returned by a bishop.”
The funds were intended to support the church’s Ksh1.2 billion construction project.
Online criticism
Following the donation, the pastor faced significant public backlash, with four concerned activists even demanding that he return the Ksh20 million.
Kennedy Kariithi Gachenge, Lempaa Soyinka, Fanya Mambo, and Peter Kuira questioned the legitimacy of the funds, suggesting they could be proceeds of crime.
In a letter drafted by Ndegwa and Ndegwa Associates, the activists argued that the President failed to disclose the source of the money and that the donation breaches principles of transparency and accountability.
They warned that accepting the funds could render the church complicit in corruption, as under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), handling suspicious funds carries severe legal consequences, including fines of up to Ksh1 million or imprisonment for up to ten years.
“By accepting the suspected amount, you are aiding and abetting the commission of a corruption offence,” the letter stated in part.
The activists then urged Bishop Mwai to surrender the funds to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and cautioned that if the church fails to comply, they will initiate private prosecution and civil proceedings to recover the money.
“Furthermore, our clients have instructed us to advise you that, in accordance with Section 2 (a) and (b) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), you are now deemed to possess unexplained assets worth Ksh 20 million, received from the President of Kenya, which is disproportionate to his known sources of income,” Ndegwa added.