Puzzle Over Ksh5.8 Million Ruto, Sakaja Donated to Catholic Church Continues

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President William Ruto in a church, October 27, 2024.
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William Ruto

Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo has insisted that the Catholic church is ready and willing to return the sum of Ksh5.8 million donated to it by President William Ruto and the Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja.

Speaking on Saturday, November 30, Anyolo confirmed that the money has not been returned yet, and the church is waiting on the government to direct them on the process to return the funds. Anyolo confirmed what the government side has been insisting on all along. 

While addressing the press, Anyolo asserted that the Catholic Church is not interested in a shouting match with the government, and returning the money is not an odd thing, rather than a thing that the church has done before.

"We were ready and willing, and we returned everything we were supposed to, it is not the first time we are doing it, and we will continue doing it,” Anyolo confirmed.

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Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo, October 28, 2021.
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Archdiocese of Nairobi

On November 17, 2024, the Archdiocese announced the rejection of several donations made at Soweto Catholic Church by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) directives and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024.

This is after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had donated Ksh200,000 to the Parish Choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC), while the President donated Ksh600,000 to the same organisations.

Additionally, President Ruto also contributed Ksh2 million to the construction of the priest's house. The Head of State further promised to donate an additional Ksh3 million that would be channelled to the church’s account to purchase a church bus.

The bishop did not refute the State House's remarks that they were yet to return the cash. Through State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto said on November 19 that although the Catholic Church declined his donation, the church had not refunded it. 

Neither the State House nor President Ruto have commented on the church's latest developments in the evolving saga.

Bishop Anyolo has further called for unity among the political leaders and the church saying that communication and listening are critical skills that should be practiced by both parties.

The bishop, however, refused to comment on the jibes the political leaders have been throwing at the church after they criticised the Kenya Kwanza government.

"I don't want to discuss things that the president has said in public. I am not a politician; I am a shepherd. I don't want to argue about what the president or the politicians have said. We have a way of handling matters with them as we did," Anyolo said.

Bishop Anyolo further said that the church welcomes criticism on its side. The bishop said that the church embraces transparency and honesty.

"Anytime we go wrong, because of our transparency within the church system and administration, people come and tell us, and that's alright, and we learn to do it," the Bibishopaid.

While returning the funds, the church emphasised the importance of preserving the church's independence and sanctity, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding political contributions.

President William Ruto(centre) arrives at the St. Anne and Joakim Catholic church in Soweto Nairobi, accompanied by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah(left), Johnson Sakaja(second left) and James Mburungu(in collar) and other leaders on November 17, 2024.
President William Ruto(centre) arrives at the St. Anne and Joakim Catholic church in Soweto Nairobi, accompanied by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah(left), Johnson Sakaja(second left) and James Mburungu(in collar) and other leaders on November 17, 2024.
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