Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has written to the Jesus Winners Ministry demanding that Bishop Edward Mwai surrender the Ksh20 million the church got as a donation from President William Ruto to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In the letter, the lawyer revealed that he was writing on behalf of four Kenyans; Kennedy Kariithi Gachege, Lempaa Soyinka, Fanya Mambo and Peter Kariuki, who are firm believers of the Constitution and are mandated to uphold it.
According to the lawyer, the Kenyans believe that the money that the president donated on March 2 during a church service that turned into a Harambee were proceeds of crime or they fall within the definition of unexplained assets.
The petitioners argued that the money was donated at a time when Auditor General Nacy Gathungu found that the Social Health Authority (SHA) was penetrated by massive corruption and was allegedly said to have lost public funds.
They further revealed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has capped the President's salary at Ksh1,443,750 yet Ruto has not disclosed to Kenyans his other sources of income questioning where he got the funds.
"This, therefore, means that by dint of your actions of receiving the said suspected amount, you are aiding and abetting the Commission of a crime and corruption," the letter reads in part.
"Our clients have duly advised us to advise you that in light of the Anti Corruption and Economic Act (ACECA), you are now in possession of unexplained assets at the value of ksh20 million, and it is imperative you surrender it to the relevant authorities," the letter continued.
The lawyer further cautioned the bishop that if the church failed to surrender the money to the EACC, the law firm would be forced to take legal action and commence private prosecution against them to recover the funds.
"We are also instructed to commence the appropriate civil proceedings against yourself with a view of preserving the substratum of the matter," the letter concluded.
The Bishop and the church have been warned that keeping the money would warrant them to be convicted under the offense of Section 48 of the ACECA and a fine not exceeding one million or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.
On Sunday, during a church service at the expansive Roysambu church, Ruto lauded Bishop Mwai and then proceeded to donate Ksh20 million. He also pledged an additional Ksh100 million for the construction of the church.
The move elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans with others promising to demonstrate against it and occupy church.
