The Archdiocese of Nairobi has vowed to return President William Ruto’s Ksh5 million donation to the 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,” Archbishop Anyolo said in a statement released on Monday, November 18, 2024, at night.
He went further to break down Soweto’s donation, stating that apart from Ruto, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated KSh200,000 to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC).
“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.
“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,” the statement added.
Ruto’s promise
Speaking during the mass at Soweto Catholic, Ruto promised to give Ksh5 million for the construction of the church father’s house.
“The chairman has also informed me that you are building the father’s house. I will give Ksh5 million on Monday or Tuesday. However, I will audit that money,” he said.
Apart from the Ksh5 million, the head of state 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.
Morara’s on Ruto’s donation
The Archdiocese promise comes two days after political activist Morara Kebaso asked congregants at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi County not to accept Ruto’s donation.
Terming it a trap, the vocal activist urged the Soweto church to reject the donation.
In a statement issued via his X account on Sunday, November 17, 2024, the activist, who depends on donations from Kenyans on social media to traverse the country to audit the Kenya Kwanza projects, noted that by accepting the money, the church will soil its reputation and lose its voice.
In addition, Morara said that he would mobilize and lead a Harambee towards the construction of the priest’s house.