Ruto's hefty church donations insensitive to suffering Kenyans

The decision by President William Ruto to return to the culture giving out huge cash donations to churches in the midst of myriad of economic and healthcare challenges facing Kenyans is quite insensitive and uncalled for.

While attending a church service at Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu on Sunday last week, the President took Kenyans aback when he donated Sh20 million and promised to mobilise a further Sh100 million towards the construction of the church. 

While he might have done this in his personal capacity, Kenyans cannot help but question his actions and intentions, especially on such an issue that elicits intense public interest.

In a blatant disregard of the ban that he imposed on such donations by State officials in the wake of the Gen Z protests last year, the President vowed to ignore his critics and to continue "giving to God".

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In November 2024, Catholic bishops rejected the President's donation of Sh5.8 million to Soweto Church in Nairobi.

Going by his sentiments during last Sunday church service, Ruto clearly understands that Kenyans dislike this culture of donations in church but for reasons known to himself, he chooses to carry on with it hence painting a picture of a president who cannot be trusted to stand by his word. Disregarding the means that he simply imposed it at the spur of the moment and that it meant nothing to him.

Moreover, by taking a swipe at the Catholics for returning the cash donations by claiming that he has never seen such an action in the Bible, the President clearly raises serious questions about his tolerance to the independent decisions of the church.

Donating millions of money in churches when the country is grappling with challenges with the Social Health Authority, inadequate capitation in schools that is threatening quality of education and frequent  industrial actions by health care and university workers, reeks of insensitiveness on the part of the President and his government. 

Kenyans are left wondering why, on the one hand, the government laments lack of funds to effectively run its programmes while, on the other, the president makes huge monetary donations to churches.

The church donations debate returns at a time when the government's fiscal prudence has come into sharp focus. Some of the spending priorities by the Kenya Kwanza regime have been criticised as unnecessary wastage. Just recently, there was public furore about the costly renovation of State House and State lodges with critics questioning the government's commitment to austerity and prudent use of public funds amid economic hardships and mounting public debt.

According to records presented to Parliament mid last year, the refurbishments will cost Sh1.5 billion in the current financial year. Documents presented to the National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security show that in total, Kenyans will spend nearly Sh10 billion on the refurbishment of State Houses and Lodges across the country untill the 2026/2027 Financial Year. 

One wonders which between State House renovations and capitation in schools should be given priority.

Scores of schools are in dire need of infrastructural development with some learners in Grade Nine learning in makeshift structures while others are in congested classrooms, yet we have not witnessed political leaders, including the President, making cash donations to them. 

Indeed, our country continues to witness increased construction of state-of-the-art church buildings yet most of public schools are in a state of disrepair. This brings up the question of the country's priorities. Why is the president's focus more on churches and not on critical facilities such as schools?

Moreover, the President's church donations lead to more questions regarding his respect for the principle of separation of the state from religion. As a symbol of national unity, appearing to support the growth of one religion sends a confusing message to the the other religions. This is owing to the fact that he has not been seen actively contributing to the development of other places of worship.

The President should therefore be seen to walk the talk when it comes to prudent utilisation of public resources. It is important for him to steer clear of public activities such as church donations which lead to perceptions of extravagance in the midst of dire economic times.