President William Ruto sent the congregation of Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu into a frenzy on Sunday when he pledged a staggering Ksh.20 million from his personal funds to support the church’s construction project.
The announcement, met with chants of “Ruto! Ruto!” from an ecstatic crowd, was followed by a promise of an additional Ksh.100 million to be raised through a harambee with his friends, bringing the total commitment to Ksh.120 million.
Speaking from the pulpit, the President addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding his frequent and substantial donations to churches, a practice that has drawn sharp criticism from clergy, citizens, and political opponents alike.
“I am a product of giving to God, and I am unapologetic about giving to God,” Ruto declared, grounding his stance in scripture. “I do it on the firm foundation of the scriptures.”
The President framed the donation as more than a financial gesture, suggesting it was a statement against his detractors.
“We will build this church so that we shame our political enemies,” he told the jubilant congregants, reinforcing his resolve to continue supporting religious institutions despite mounting backlash.
Ruto’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of his administration’s close ties with the church, particularly as Kenya grapples with a strained economy.
Critics, including some religious leaders, have accused the government of turning pulpits into fundraising platforms for the political elite, with allegations that such donations may be linked to proceeds of corruption.
The issue exploded into the spotlight late last year when the Archdiocese of Nairobi returned Ksh.2.8 million donated by Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a fundraiser at Soweto Catholic Church on November 17, 2024.
The Archdiocese cited directives from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which seeks to regulate such contributions, as the basis for rejecting the funds.
Despite the pushback, Ruto remains steadfast.
“I will not tire from giving to God,” he reiterated on Sunday, doubling down on his commitment to advancing the Christian faith through financial support. His administration has faced accusations of insensitivity, with many Kenyans questioning how such large sums can be donated while public services falter and citizens struggle economically.
The proposed Ksh.100 million harambee for Jesus Winner Ministry has already sparked debate, with some lauding Ruto’s generosity and others decrying it as a political ploy.
