Ruto Fires Back After Catholic Church Rejected His Donation
Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken about the Catholic Church’s decision to turn down his donation to Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi in 2024.
Speaking after attending a church service at Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi, on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Ruto acknowledged that he has often been criticized for his contributions to churches.
He defended his actions, saying that he strongly believes in giving and supporting religious institutions. According to him, offerings made in church are meant for God, not individuals.
Ruto further explained that, based on his understanding of the Bible, donations given to God should not be returned by bishops.
“You know, I have been blamed many times for giving donations in church. But when we offer to God, we are not giving to a human being. We are not giving to Bishop Mwai or the congregation; we are offering it to God,” he said.
“I have tried searching the Bible, and though I am not an expert, I have not found any verse saying that if you give to God, a bishop should return it,” he added.
Ruto’s response comes several months after the Catholic Church rejected donations from him and other politicians to Soweto Catholic Church.
Catholic Church’s Stand on Ruto’s Donation
On Monday, November 18, 2024, Archbishop Philip Anyolo issued a statement confirming that Ruto’s KSh5 million donation to Soweto Catholic Church would be returned.
According to Archbishop Anyolo, the donation was against the law, and the church could not accept the money.
The statement cited the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which states in Section 10(2) that any person who collects or receives money as part of a fundraising appeal—whether directly or indirectly—must follow legal procedures.
The statement further explained that such fundraising activities require an official permit. Therefore, the contributions made to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17, 2024, violated the law.
Archbishop Anyolo also outlined how the funds had been distributed. Apart from Ruto’s donation, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had given KSh200,000 to support the parish choir and the Parish Missionary Council (PMC).
Other donations included KSh600,000 from Ruto to the choir and PMC and KSh2 million meant for building a house for the parish priest.
The archbishop made it clear that all these donations would be returned to the donors. Additionally, he announced that the church would not accept an extra KSh3 million that had been promised for the construction project. He also rejected the donation of a parish bus that the president had pledged.
Ruto Fires Back After Catholic Church Rejected His Donation
