The Archbishop of Nairobi has rejected donations offered by its country’s president to a Catholic parish. The Church has clarified with the explanation that it will not be compromised by donations from politicians seeking to manipulate Church fundraising for their own benefit.
Bishop Philip Anyolo Subira rejected the more than 5 million Kenyan krona (US$38,500) that President William Samoei Ruto offered to the Church of Soweto during the Mass celebrated on Sunday, November 17.
The money offered by the president would have been used to build the rectory for priests in the parish.
Ruto also presented the Church choir and the Pontifical Missionary Childhood with a reward of 600,000 krona (about $4,600) at the event, which was attended by Nairobi Governor Johnson Arthur Sakaja, who donated 200,000 krona (about $1,500) to the two groups.
President Ruto also promised to donate a bus to the parish, an offer the Archbishop has also declined.
In the statement, the prelate explains that “political donations” to the Catholic Church in Soweto violate Kenya’s Fundraising Appeals Act 2024, which requires a permit for such donations.
“These funds will be returned to the respective donors,” the archbishop said, adding, referring to President Ruto’s promise: “The additional 3 million [about 23 thousand dollars] promised for the construction of the priests’ house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the president, have been rejected.”
The text further notes that the bishops of the Kenya Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KCCB) have always maintained a firm stance on the issue of politicians donating money to churches, highlighting ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Catholic Church from being used for political purposes.
“The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of ecclesiastical events such as fundraisers and meetings as platforms for political self-promotion,” said Bishop Anyolo, adding: “Politicians are urged to refrain from turning the pulpit into a stage for political rhetoric, as such actions undermine the sanctity of places of worship.”
According to the archbishop, the Church is called to maintain its integrity by rejecting contributions that could “inadvertently” compromise its independence or facilitate “unjust enrichment.”
Referring to the letter Kenyan bishops issued on 14 November denouncing the government for ignoring “pertinent unresolved issues,” the archbishop said: “Political leaders are urged to demonstrate ethical leadership by addressing the pressing issues raised by the KCCB.”
The archbishop said that politicians can freely go to church, but they must do so like any other faithful, “without taking advantage of their positions to obtain political benefits.”