President William Ruto called for unity during a church service on Sunday, emphasizing the need for collaboration rather than division.
Speaking to congregation members, Ruto urged church leaders and government officials to refrain from engaging in public disputes.
“There is no need to exchange words… Calm down, there is no competition between the church and others or the church and state. We are one country,” he said, underscoring the imperative for harmony in a politically charged atmosphere.
Ruto’s remarks come amidst escalating friction following a hard-hitting statement from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), which accused his administration of not only failing to deliver on promises but also of imposing high taxation without heeding the concerns of Kenyans.
The bishops condemned what they referred to as a “culture of lies” and expressed frustration over issues such as unemployment, difficulties with the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), and the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a gesture aimed at fostering goodwill, Ruto made a Ksh. 600,000 donation during a Sunday mass in Soweto and pledged an additional Ksh. 2 million for the completion of a parish priest’s residence.
However, this move backfired when Archbishop of Nairobi Philip Anyolo announced that the church would return the funds, citing concerns over their unknown origin.
The Archbishop emphasized the necessity of preserving the church’s independence and integrity, reflecting broader ethical concerns about political contributions.
