In a bold move, the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi has turned down a substantial donation of Sh12.3 million from President William Ruto, citing its long-standing policy against accepting financial contributions from political figures ¹ ² ³. Archbishop Philip Anyolo confirmed on Monday that the money would be returned.
The rejected donation, made on Sunday, November 17, was earmarked for various initiatives within the Soweto Catholic Church, including:
- Soweto Catholic Church Choir: Sh600,000
- Parish Missionary Council: Sh600,000
- Construction of Parish Priest’s Residence: Sh2 million (with an additional Sh3 million pledged)
- Parish Bus: promised by President Ruto
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also contributed Sh200,000 to the construction of the priest’s house.
The Archdiocese’s decision underscores its commitment to maintaining independence and avoiding potential conflicts of interest with political leaders. This move has sparked interest in the relationship between the Catholic Church and Kenya’s political establishment.
