Police in Kenya used tear gas to disperse protesters who attempted to occupy a church in Nairobi’s Roysambu suburb, after it received a significant donation of 20 million shillings ($155,000) from President William Ruto. The donation, directed to the Jesus Winner Ministry, sparked outrage among many Kenyans, particularly the youth who are grappling with the high cost of living in the country.
The controversial donation is seen by many as a misallocation of resources, particularly at a time when Kenya is facing economic hardships, with rising taxes and inflation affecting daily life. President Ruto, however, has defended his financial support to the church, claiming it was part of an effort to address the country’s moral decline. He further pledged a similar donation to another church in Eldoret.
Despite the tensions, the donation to the church in Nairobi has ignited further debates about the use of church resources. Last year, both Kenya’s Catholic and Anglican church leaders rejected donations from President Ruto, citing concerns over the politicization of religious institutions and the potential for such gifts to be used for political leverage.
The protest outside the church escalated when demonstrators attempted to breach the premises, blocking nearby roads and setting fires in the process. Several protesters were arrested, and some threw rocks at security personnel. However, despite the disturbances, the church service continued as planned, with a heavy police presence ensuring the safety of worshippers.
Bishop Edward Mwai of the Jesus Winner Ministry commented on the disruption, alleging that “thugs” had been mobilized to disturb the church service, in an apparent attempt to undermine the event. Local media reports suggested the protests were organized by various youth groups frustrated with the government’s handling of the economic situation.
President Ruto, who is known for his evangelical Christian beliefs, defended his actions, stating that Kenya needed to “know God” in order to combat the moral decay in society. At a separate church event in Eldoret, Ruto reiterated his commitment to religious causes, telling the congregation that his government would continue to support faith-based initiatives.
However, the donation comes amid growing anger over the government’s fiscal policies, particularly the introduction of tax hikes since Ruto’s election in 2022. Many Kenyans feel the tax increases are exacerbating the financial strain on ordinary citizens, and they have criticized Ruto for not addressing issues like public sector waste and corruption first. This discontent led to a wave of protests last year, which forced the government to withdraw the controversial Finance Bill, a piece of legislation proposing even more tax increases.
The clashes in Roysambu highlight the deepening divisions between the government and ordinary Kenyans, who are increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as misplaced priorities. While Ruto’s supporters argue that the church donations are a necessary step toward societal moral reform, the opposition sees them as an attempt to gain political favor at a time of widespread economic distress.
As tensions between the government and the public continue to grow, the role of religious institutions in Kenyan politics and the allocation of resources remain contentious issues that will likely play a significant role in the upcoming political discourse.
