The standoff between President William Ruto and the Catholic Church has taken a new turn. It has come to light that the Soweto Catholic Church has not returned the millions donated by Ruto, as Archbishop Phillip Anyolo deemed the contribution illegal.
This information was confirmed by State House, which stated it has not received the rejected funds back. In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed indicated that although Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi declined Ruto’s donation, the church has not issued a refund.
“As of the end of the day on Tuesday, November 19, we have not received any money back,” Mohamed remarked. This situation has arisen despite revelations that the Soweto Catholic Church had personally solicited the contentious donations.
The parish priest reportedly asked President Ruto for the donations during a church service, noting that the matter had been discussed with the senior hierarchy of the church beforehand.
Ruto confirmed this request when he addressed the enthusiastic congregation, following appeals from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and several other local leaders.
During a church service on Sunday, November 17, Ruto donated Ksh600,000 to the Soweto Catholic Church for choir members and Ksh.2 million for the construction of the father’s house.
Additionally, the Head of State pledged to donate a further Ksh.3 million to be allocated to the church’s account for purchasing a church bus.
During the event, Governor Sakaja contributed Ksh200,000 to the church. However, the Bishop has since declined the donation due to public pressure.
