NAIROBI, Kenya— A brewing showdown over a Sh20 million donation from President William Ruto to Jesus Winner Ministry has taken a new turn.
Religious leaders from Nyeri are calling on young protesters to abandon their planned occupation of the church’s Roysambu headquarters, urging them to pray instead of protest.
Their message? A church cannot scrutinize every donation.
“Money Has No Label,” Say Religious Leaders
Bishop Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry has been in the spotlight ever since accepting Sh20 million from President Ruto on March 2.
Some young Kenyans—particularly from Gen Z—have raised concerns over the donation’s origins, planning a demonstration at the church.
However, Nyeri clergy members insist that churches do not have the capacity to verify the source of donations.
“We have no means of determining whether money donated to the church is clean or dirty,” explained Reverend Veronica Waruguru of Jesus Winner Ministry, Nyeri.
Backing this stance, Reverend Benson Mwangi encouraged church leaders to accept financial support from well-wishers, arguing that the funds support essential services such as caring for orphans and widows.
A Presidential Blessing and a Bigger Promise
Just days after the donation, President Ruto hosted Bishop Mwai at State House on March 6 to discuss the progress of the church’s construction project in Roysambu.
Ruto even pledged to mobilize an additional Sh100 million to support the Sh1 billion mega-church project.
The meeting was attended by senior clergy members, further reinforcing Mwai’s ties to the presidency. Ruto later took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge their discussions.
“Met the Reverend Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry Church at State House, Nairobi. He also shared with me the progress of the church’s construction in Roysambu,” Ruto posted.
Protest or Prayer? Clergy Say “Worship Instead”
Despite online backlash and rising tensions, religious leaders are urging young Kenyans to ditch protests in favor of prayer. Reverend Martin Mwangi had a direct message for Gen Z:
“My appeal to Gen Zs is: do not go there to demonstrate. Just go there to pray and worship.”
Meanwhile, the church has also been playing a role in youth employment efforts.
The Jesus Winner Ministry recently partnered with the government to host a Kazi Majuu recruitment drive, helping young job-seekers secure employment abroad.
While the clergy has spoken, the debate over church donations and transparency isn’t likely to disappear soon.
With Ruto pledging more funds and protests looming, all eyes will be on whether the Gen Z movement takes their concerns to the streets—or the pulpit.
