“I Will Not Stop Giving to God”
NAIROBI, Kenya—President William Ruto knows how to make an entrance, and this time, it came with a Sh120 million promise.
Speaking at Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu on Sunday, the president ignited a frenzy among congregants when he announced a personal donation of Sh20 million to support the church’s construction.
And that was just the beginning.
Ruto doubled down on his commitment to church donations, vowing to spearhead a fundraising drive that could bring in another Sh100 million.
“I have accepted to come and do harambee together, and in that harambee, I will go make arrangements with my friends so we can bring Sh100 million here,” he told the cheering crowd, which erupted into chants of “Ruto! Ruto!”
He was also quick to address critics who have repeatedly questioned his generosity.
“I am a product of giving to God, and I am unapologetic about it,” he said. “I do it on the firm foundation of the scriptures.”
Ruto!Ruto!Ruto!Cheers as Ruto attacks Catholic Church for refunding his 5M gives 20M to Jesus Winner Ministry and Vows to organise for another 100M!
Church Donations Under Scrutiny
While Ruto remains steadfast in his mission to support churches, his frequent multi-million donations have drawn increasing scrutiny from both religious leaders and the public.
The debate intensified in November 2024, when the Archdiocese of Nairobi rejected Sh2.8 million that Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated at Soweto Catholic Church.
The Archdiocese cited Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) directives and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which seeks to regulate large-scale church donations.
Many critics argue that these hefty contributions—especially during tough economic times—raise ethical questions.
Some claim the money comes from questionable sources, fueling concerns about corruption and political influence over churches.
For Ruto, church donations have been a key part of his brand, reinforcing his “hustler” narrative and strong religious appeal.
However, as pressure mounts from both the clergy and political opponents, the question remains: Is this about faith, politics, or both?
