A disagreement between the Catholic bishops in Kenya and the government has escalated, with the Church rejecting a $61,000 donation from President William Ruto. The donation, made on November 17 during a Sunday Mass at a parish church in Kayole-Soweto, an informal settlement in Nairobi, included $30,000 in cash, with the remaining funds and a parish bus promised at a later date.
However, on November 18, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Nairobi announced that the funds would be refunded. He explained that the donation violated Church directives and Kenyan law, which mandates a permit for fundraising activities.
The Archbishop emphasized the bishops’ firm position against political donations, citing ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church’s independence from political influence. “The Church is called to uphold integrity by refusing contributions that may inadvertently compromise its independence or facilitate unjust enrichment,” said Archbishop Anyolo. He also reiterated the Church’s discouragement of using Church events, such as fundraisers, for political self-promotion.
The Church’s stance aligns with its wider concern about the role of politics in religious matters. According to Church data, approximately 18 million Kenyans, or 40% of the population, are baptized Catholics, reflecting the Church’s significant influence in the country.
This decision comes in the wake of a scathing statement issued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on November 14, in which they accused the government of fostering a “culture of lies” and pushing a “selfish agenda” that neglects the welfare of the Kenyan people. The bishops criticized the government for failing to address corruption, human rights abuses, and mismanagement of key sectors like education and healthcare.
