Lawyer Nelson Havi has lauded the Catholic and Anglican Churches for standing firm and speaking truth to power.
The former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president, in a statement shared via his official X account, praised the Catholic Church for rejecting funds donated in Soweto by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Jonson Sakaja over the weekend.
Role of church
Havi argued that the church is not and should never be the place for elected or appointed leaders to purchase the silence of the clergy or congregants.
He went ahead to acknowledge that the Catholic and Anglican Churches have set the bar high for maintaining their stance.
“The church is not and should never be the bully pulpit for elected or appointed leaders to purchase the silence of the clergy or congregants. The Catholic and Anglican Churches have set the bar high. Let those bribes be given to Dini Ya Msambwa and Yehova Wanyonyi,” Havi stated.
The Church is not and should never be the bully pulpit for elected or appointed leaders to purchase the silence of the clergy or congregants. The Catholic and Anglican Churches have set the bar high. Let those bribes be given to Dini Ya Msambwa and Yehova Wanyonyi.
— Nelson Havi (@NelsonHavi) November 19, 2024
Havi’s statement comes just hours after the Archdiocese of Nairobi said it will return President Ruto’s Ksh5 million donation to Soweto Catholic Church.
In a statement dated Monday, November 18, 2024, Archbishop Most Rev Philip A. Anyolo stated that the donation made to Soweto Catholic was unconstitutional and the church would not accept the funds.
“Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, under Section 10(2), it is deemed that any person who solicits or receives money or a benefit conducts a fundraising appeal, regardless of whether the representation made was direct or indirect.
“Such fundraising appeals require a permit in accordance with the bill. Consequently, the donations made to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17, 2024, are in violation of these directives and the law.
“These include the Governor of Nairobi’s donation of Ksh200,000 to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC); the President’s donation of Ksh600,000 to the choir and PMC; and Ksh2 million for the construction of the Father’s house,” the statement reads in part.
“These funds will be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Ksh3 million for the construction of the Fathers’ house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the President, are hereby declined.”
President Ruto on Sunday, November 17, 2024, promised to give Ksh5 million for the construction of the church father’s house.
In addition, he also promised to give Ksh300,000 towards the purchase of children’s uniforms and to deliver a bus to the church in January.
“I will give them (children) a new uniform. I will give them Ksh300,000 to buy uniforms. I will also buy the choir a new uniform before I leave. But your job is to sing to God, not humans,” Ruto stated.