Jesus Winner Ministry under fire over Ruto's Sh20m donation

A group of concerned citizens has formally demanded the surrender of the Sh20 million donated by President William Ruto to the Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Edward Mwai, the church’s presiding bishop, lawyers representing Kennedy Kariithi Gachenge, Erastus Rebiro Gatehi, Lempaa Soyinka, Fanya Mambo, and Peter Kuira have called for the immediate surrender of the funds to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The letter claims that the money handed over by the president during a church service on March 2, 2025, constitutes suspected proceeds of crime or unexplained assets. 

The concerned parties argue that such donations from public officials must be scrutinized, particularly in light of recent corruption scandals affecting public institutions such as the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

"This therefore means, that by dint of your actions of receiving the said suspected amount, you are aiding and abetting the commission of a crime of corruption," the letter stated.

According to the letter, President Ruto was ranked as the second most corrupt individual globally by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) on December 30, 2024. 

The letter further states that the president’s known income, as capped by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, does not justify such a large donation, raising questions about the source of the funds.

“Our clients firmly believe that this money falls within the definition of unexplained assets, and by receiving it, you are aiding and abetting corruption,” the letter reads in part. 

The lawyers cite the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, arguing that the bishop is now deemed to be in possession of illicit funds.

The concerned citizens demanded that the church return the money to the authorities. 

They warned that if the EACC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) fail to take appropriate action, they will initiate private prosecution against Bishop Mwai and pursue civil proceedings to recover the funds.