The donation was offered during a Sunday Mass at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, where the president pledged 2.6 million Kenyan shillings ($20,000) in cash and promised an additional contribution as well as a bus for the parish.
The decision to reject the funds was made by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, who stated that the donation would be returned. He emphasized that the Church discourages the use of religious events for political self-promotion, a stance in line with Church directives and Kenyan law.
Archbishop Anyolo also rejected a separate donation of 200,000 Kenyan shillings made by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who was present at the service.
The rejection comes amid rising public pressure on churches in Kenya to maintain independence from politicians. Many young anti-tax protesters have accused religious institutions of being too closely aligned with the government, particularly after the controversial tax hikes earlier this year. The Church’s decision follows a recent statement by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, which criticized the government for issues including corruption, over-taxation, and violations of human rights.
The relationship between churches and political leaders in Kenya has long been a subject of scrutiny, with many accusing the clergy of not supporting public protests against the government. In response, some politicians, including President Ruto and government-allied Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, criticized the Church’s statements, accusing them of spreading misinformation.
Despite the controversy, Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit supported the Catholic Church’s position, stating that the bishops were voicing the concerns of many Kenyans.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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