The war between President Ruto and the Church has escalated after the Catholic Church rejected the millions he donated on Sunday in Nairobi.
Days after the 29 Catholic Bishops issued a stinging rebuke on President Ruto dismissing him as a liar who has presided over a regime riddled in corruption, the Church dealt him another devastating blow by refunding his donation.
The Archdiocese of Nairobi issued a statement saying it was refunding the Sh 600,000 donated by Ruto for the choir amd another sh 2million to build the Father’s house to the Soweto Catholic church.
Another Sh 200,000 donated by Nairobi Governor Johnstone Sakaja to the same choir.
“Regarding donations made by President Ruto and other politicians to Soweto Catholic Church, referencing Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) directives that discourage political donations to churches and the use of church events for political self-promotion,” said Arch-Bishop Anyolo the head of the Nairobi Metropolitan Arch-Diocese.
“In line with these directives, the Archdiocese has decided to refund donations of Ksh 200,000 from the Governor of Nairobi to the choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC) Ksh 600,000 from President Ruto to the choir and PMC and Ksh 2 million from President Ruto for the construction of the Fathers’ house,” said Arch-Bishop Anyolo.
The move came only hours after the Anglican Church put more pressure on Ruto to deliver on his promises saying the conditions of living for Kenyans have deteriorated.
Head of the ACK Church Jackson Ole Sapit who was joined by other bishops accused the government of being out of touch with reality.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) also supported the Catholic Bishops saying they spoke the truth and accused the government of failing to tackle the challenges facing Kenyans.
They said they have noted that the government acts very fast.o issues it has interest in while ignoring matters affecting the rest of Kenyans.
The Church noted that former DP Rigathi Gachagua was impeached in a record two weeks while the same government has failed to address the health crisis, lecturers strike and university funding model.