Kenya/ Catholic Church criticizes Ruto’s Government, returns presidential donation
Kenya’s Catholic Church has taken a firm stance against President William Ruto’s administration, rejecting a $40,000 donation made during a Sunday Mass at the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi.
The funds, intended for building a priest’s house and supporting the choir, were returned due to “ethical concerns” and the Church’s commitment to remaining apolitical.
Archbishop Philip Anyolo emphasized that accepting such donations would risk politicizing the Church. “The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events as platforms for political self-promotion,” he stated, also returning a separate contribution from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
This comes amid growing tensions between religious institutions and the government. Catholic bishops recently issued a scathing critique of the administration, accusing it of fostering a “culture of lies,” corruption, and over-taxation.
They highlighted unmet campaign promises, rising unemployment, and deteriorating public services in education and healthcare.
Public discontent has also strained church-state relations. Earlier this year, young protesters accused churches of siding with the government during contentious tax hikes.
Social media campaigns like #OccupyChurch criticized religious leaders for their perceived silence on citizens’ hardships.
Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit supported the Catholic bishops, stating they “faithfully expressed the truth as things are on the ground.”
As tensions escalate, the Church’s rejection of political donations underscores a broader shift in Kenya’s religious institutions, which appear increasingly willing to challenge government policies and defend the public’s interests.
Source : bbc.com
