President William Ruto has reacted to the Catholic Church’s decision to reject the donation he made to the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi in 2024.
Speaking after a church service at the Jesus Winner Ministry Roysambu in Nairobi county, on Sunday, March 2, 2025, he acknowledged facing criticism for his donations to the church.
Emphasizing his personal belief in the importance of giving, Ruto, expressed his commitment to supporting religious institutions, stating that offerings made in church are directed to God, not individuals.
The head of state further noted that, according to his understanding of the Bible, offerings to God are not meant to be returned by bishops.
“Unajua nimelaumiwa mara nyingi sana kwa mambo ya matoleo kanisani,wakati tunamtolea Mungu hatumpati binadamu matoleo tunanyotoa si kwa sababu tunampatia bishop Mwai hatupati congregation tunampatia tunampatia Mungu,” he said.
“Na mimi nimejaribu sana kutafuta kwa bibilia na mimi ni msomi kiasi wa bibilia na nimejaribu kutafuta mahali inasema ati ukimpatia Mungu inaunarudishiwa na Askofu.”
Ruto’s remarks come months after the Catholic church rejected his and political leaders’ donation made to the Soweto Catholic Church.
Catholic church on Ruto’s donation
In a statement dated Monday, November 18, 2024, Archbishop Most Rev Philip A. Anyolo vowed to return Ruto’s Ksh5 million donation to the Soweto Catholic Church.
Anyolo stated that the donation to the Soweto Catholic Church was unconstitutional and that the church would not accept the funds.
“Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, under Section 10(2), it is deemed that any person who solicits or receives money or a benefit conducts a fundraising appeal, regardless of whether the representation made was direct or indirect,” the statement reads in part.
“Such fundraising appeals require a permit in accordance with the bill. Consequently, the donations made to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17, 2024, are in violation of these directives and the law,” Archbishop Anyolo said in a statement released on Monday, November 18, 2024, at night.
He went further to break down Soweto’s donation, stating that apart from Ruto, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated KSh200,000 to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC).
“These include the Governor of Nairobi’s donation of Ksh200,000 to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC); the President’s donation of Ksh600,000 to the choir and PMC; and Ksh2 million for the construction of the Father’s house.
“These funds will be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Ksh3 million for the construction of the Fathers’ house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the President, are hereby declined,” the statement added.