The Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi has declined donations made by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a Sunday service at Soweto Catholic Church.
President Ruto had donated KSh 600,000 to the church choir, KSh 2 million for building the parish priest’s house, and pledged an additional KSh 3 million for the same project, along with a promise to deliver a bus to the church in January. Governor Sakaja also contributed KSh 200,000 during the service.
However, Archbishop Philip Anyolo stated that the church would return the donations and reject the promised bus in adherence to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) policy, which prohibits accepting political contributions.
“These funds will be returned to the donors, and the bus will not be accepted,” Archbishop Anyolo said, emphasizing the church’s commitment to remaining free from political influence to uphold its integrity and role as a neutral spiritual institution.
Archbishop Anyolo also urged politicians to prioritize ethical governance and address critical issues highlighted by the KCCB, including economic hardships and growing insecurity.
The announcement comes after the KCCB recently criticized the government for failing to fulfill campaign promises while burdening citizens with excessive taxes. The bishops described the current tax measures as “unreasonable” and likened them to a veiled attempt to reintroduce the rejected Finance Bill, 2024.
“It appears to be a covert way to revive the Finance Bill. The current tax system is already oppressive for Kenyans,” remarked Bishop Maurice Muhatia.
The bishops also condemned rising cases of abductions, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, urging the government to ensure justice for affected families and address these pressing human rights concerns.
