Kenyan Catholic Bishops Reject President Ruto’s Sh12.3 Million Donation, Cite Policy Against Political Contributions

The Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi has returned a Sh12.3 million donation from President William Ruto, citing its policy against accepting contributions from political figures. The funds, allocated to various church initiatives, were rejected on grounds of preserving the Church’s neutrality and independence.

In a statement on Monday, Archbishop Philip Anyolo confirmed that the donation, made during a Sunday service at Soweto Catholic Church, would be refunded. The funds were initially designated for the parish choir, the Missionary Council, and the construction of a priest’s residence. President Ruto pledged an additional Sh61.6 million for the residence and a parish bus. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also contributed Sh4.1 million to the project.

The decision to reject the donation highlights the Catholic Church’s stance against the politicisation of religious spaces. Speaking on the matter, Archbishop Anyolo emphasised the need to maintain the sanctity of worship and resist political influences.

“Politicians must refrain from using the pulpit as a platform for political rhetoric, as this undermines the spiritual mission of the Church,” he stated.

The Archbishop further urged political leaders to focus on tackling pressing national issues such as corruption, human rights abuses, and political instability, concerns recently raised by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).

Last week, the KCCB accused the government of fostering a “culture of lies” and using state machinery to suppress dissent. They called for greater transparency and accountability, urging leaders to prioritize public welfare over personal or political agendas.

While politicians are welcome to attend church for spiritual growth, Archbishop Anyolo reiterated that they should do so as ordinary Christians, without leveraging their presence for self-promotion.

The Catholic Church’s firm stance has drawn mixed reactions, with some lauding its efforts to safeguard religious integrity while others question the implications for church-state relations.