The Kenyan Catholic Church has officially rejected a donation of approximately $40,000 from President William Ruto, which was intended for the construction of a priest’s house and as a gift to the choir during a Mass service at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi. This decision comes in the wake of recent criticisms from Catholic bishops regarding the government’s failure to fulfill its electoral promises.

President Ruto had provided around 2.6 million Kenyan shillings (about $20,000) in cash and pledged an additional $20,000, along with a promise to donate a bus to the parish.

The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, stated that the church would return the cash due to “ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes.” He also declined the other pledges made by the president and returned a separate donation of 200,000 Kenyan shillings from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who attended the same service.

The rejection of the donation reflects growing tensions between the church and the government, particularly amid accusations from young anti-tax protesters who claim that churches have been too closely aligned with political leaders. The Catholic bishops had recently issued a statement criticizing the government for issues such as over-taxation, corruption, and human rights violations.

Following the president’s donation, many Kenyans urged the Catholic Church to reject the funds, highlighting a broader sentiment against perceived political interference in religious institutions.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in the relationship between religious organizations and the government in Kenya, particularly as the country grapples with economic and social issues.