Days after facing sharp criticism for allegedly receiving KSh20 million from President William Ruto, Jesus Winner Ministry has issued a statement dismissing claims that it received the money.
Addressing the press on Thursday, March 6, the church’s Secretary, Raphael Mweti, clarified that the multi-million-shilling funds were a pledge and not a cash donation, as alleged by some Kenyans.
According to Mweti, President Ruto pledged the money following a request from Bishop Edward Mwai, who informed the Head of State about the church’s plan to build a larger structure.
However, he noted that while the church was yet to receive the money, it would not decline it, adding that the proceeds would be used to construct a larger building to accommodate more congregants.
“We wish to clarify to the nation who have been our faithful followers since 2009, that President Ruto pledged KSh20 million following a request from our General Overseer, Edward Mwai,” the church spokesperson stated.
“Following our humble beginning in the Zimmerman area in 2000, the church has grown to its current state in Roysambu, and we plan to build a bigger sanctuary on the land we bought from Uchumi,” he added.
Mweti went on to state that despite the criticism, the church would continue welcoming Kenyans from all walks of life, regardless of their political affiliations or status in society.
“Our church motto is, accept one another as Christ accepted you. Our doors are open, and we do not discriminate against anyone based on their affiliations or status in society,” Mweti told Kenyans.
The clarification comes hardly a day after a section of Kenyans wrote to the Roysambu-based church demanding the immediate return of the KSh20 million, terming the money proceeds of crime.
In a letter by prominent city lawyer Ndegwa Njiru alongside three others, the church was told to surrender the money to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC).
Njiru went ahead to question how President Ruto could donate such an amount to a church yet it was in the public domain that his monthly salary had been capped at Ksh1.4 million.
"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," Ndegwa Njiru commented.
