The National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah, has challenged the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Jackson Ole Sapit, over his assertions that political leaders should prioritise matters of national interest instead of donating to churches.
Addressing Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange, who interviewed Ole Sapit on Wednesday night, Ichung'wah urged the archbishop to explain the theological reasoning behind politicians not giving to churches.
"You should have engaged Archbishop Ole Sapit in a theological reasoning/class on the relationship between our church giving in line with Christian teachings over the years (only on Sundays) and our 8 am–5 pm jobs, when we prioritise work for six days a week to make all the other worldly things work for all of us," Ichung'wah stated.
"Or is he now teaching us not to give in church and instead give more to public coffers what we would take to church on Sunday?"
Speaking at the interview, Ole Sapit continued his campaign against politicking in churches, just over a week after he banned politicians from speaking at all ACK churches across the country.
According to Ole Sapit, the politicians should abstain from giving millions to the churches and concentrate on matters like fixing the Social Health Authority (SHA) for all Kenyans to benefit.
"Where are our priorities? We must ask our leaders that, with the ailing economy and the high cost of living that everyone is experiencing today, is giving in the church more of a priority than making SHA workable for everybody to stop Kenyans from complaining. Which one is of more priority?" he quipped.
Over the past few months, the church and the state have been on opposing ends, a clear contrast from the months leading up to the 2022 general elections.
Set off by the Soweto Catholic Church rejecting a Ksh5 million donation by President William Ruto on November 17, the fallout between the church and President William Ruto heightened with more churches jumping on the bandwagon.
Months later, on March 2, the President made a comeback in church donations by giving Ksh20 million to the Jesus Winner Ministry church, a move that prompted nationwide criticism.
The church's Bishop Edward Mwai received letters and requests to return the money with protestors even infiltrating the church the following Sunday in an altercation that led to some of them being arrested.
Undeterred, President William Ruto has noted that he will keep giving to churches as is his duty as a Christian.
