Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently donated Ksh1 million to a church amid the controversy surrounding donations to religious institutions.
However, according to Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa, there is a valid reason behind the former DP's contribution, which came at a time when political leaders were under intense scrutiny over their monetary inputs to churches.
Thang'wa, a well-known ally of Gachagua, spoke at the ACK St. James Cathedral in Kiambu on Sunday, November 24, where he clarified that Gachagua had made a promise to the church long before the debate surrounding church donations by politicians.
According to the Senator, the Ksh1 million donation was made by Gachagua in good faith and would support the ongoing construction works.
“We have had to fear because we saw some people taking cash donations to church and they were returned," the Senator explained.
"The church wrote to the president and his people but the former deputy president was not involved. He (Gachagua) was here previously and announced he owed you money for paint. He gave me Ksh1 million, which I have kept since October 27. So he has kept his promise, which he made a long time ago."
The latest move from Gachagua came just days after the Soweto Catholic Church was ordered to refund donations made by the President and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
While rejecting the President's cash gift on November 18, Metropolitan Archbishop Most Rev. Philip Anyolo said the donations violated the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill.
The archbishop also discouraged politicians from using the church to seek political mileage.
Meanwhile, Gachagua, who was at AIPCA Kangari in Kigumo, Murang'a County, lauded churches for openly speaking out on issues facing the country when other elected leaders seemingly failed to do so.
Gachagua told the church that he was among the only leaders who could openly call out the President when he felt some of Ruto's decisions were detrimental to the citizens, citing the collapsed Adani deals as a classic example.
"In these difficult times when the parliament has been captured and only a few leaders can speak up for the people, the church must take up that space and speak for the people," Gachagua said.
