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
