'Ruto is a man of means': Cherargei defends large church donations

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has defended President William Ruto’s sizable church donations, which have drawn public criticism.

Speaking on Spice FM on Wednesday, April 23, Cherargei said the president’s contributions are justifiable compared to those of some Members of Parliament, whom he accused of being unable to account for their wealth. 

He described Ruto’s donations as acts of generosity.

“You know our president is a man of means. He has built his wealth over time, and he also has friends. You cannot put the president on the same level of giving as the MPs because in 1997, he was not giving Sh20 million when he was a first-time MP,” said Cherargei.

He added, “Do you know all these characters who are blaming the president for giving too much to the church…they are drinking much more at night, they are drinking even up to Sh2 million per night?”

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The lawmaker also claimed that some political leaders making  large donations cannot justify their net worth or salaries. He argued that the focus should be on conducting lifestyle audits to curb corruption among public officials.

“The question should be the issue of lifestyle audit. We should take it seriously because we are commercialising leadership,” he said.

He linked leaders' constant pursuit of political power to the high cost of maintaining democracy, noting that leaders remain in perpetual campaign mode immediately after elections, driven by Kenya’s tribal political landscape.

“Kenyan politics is tribal; the reason the president's seat is so competitive is that there are few seats,” he said. 

To address tribal tensions, Cherargei proposed expanding top political leadership positions by creating the office of Prime Minister, two Deputy Prime Ministers, and two Speakers.

He also defended President Ruto’s frequent regional tours, describing them as efforts to drive development projects and strengthen ties with the public.

Addressing MPs’ proposals to extend the presidential term limit, Cherargei said, “We suggest a seven-year term limit because seven is a holy number for us Christians.  As we speak today, Ruto does not have a competitor. What he has are participants, so the reelection is almost a formality.”