NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has fired back at critics of his Sh20 million donation to Jesus Winner Ministry, dismissing their opposition as an attack on faith itself.
His remarks come just hours after police clashed with protestors in Roysambu, arresting 38 youth who attempted to storm the church.
“Opposing Church Donations? You Have No Place in Kenya”
Speaking at AIC Fellowship Annex Church in Eldoret on Sunday, Ruto doubled down on his commitment to supporting religious institutions, insisting that Kenya’s foundation is rooted in faith.
“Those who are against the word of God and the building of sanctuaries in Kenya will fail. They will not succeed, they will not overcome us,” he declared.
Teargas fired at Roysambu as police disperse youth attempting to occupy Jesus Winner Chapel
The President made it clear—his financial support for churches will continue, regardless of public backlash.
“For the avoidance of doubt, because of the pushback from those who do not believe in God, who do not believe we should be building churches—I want to declare, as the leader of this nation, that God will be known.”
His statement comes amid growing online outrage, with critics arguing that public resources should prioritize economic relief over religious contributions.
Roysambu Turns Into a Battleground
The tensions reached a boiling point on Sunday when protestors, mobilized under the #OccupyJesusWinner movement, attempted to march toward Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu.
Their plan? To physically occupy the church as a statement against Ruto’s donation.
Police responded by lobbing tear gas at the growing crowd near the Roysambu roundabout, sending youth scrambling in all directions.
Running battles erupted, disrupting traffic along Thika Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest highways.
In the heat of the moment, some demonstrators were detained for allegedly using their phones to mobilize more protestors, a claim confirmed by Bishop Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry.
President Ruto’s Ksh.20 million donation to Jesus Winner Ministry Church sparks protests in Roysambu
Bishop Mwai’s Surprising Move
Despite the chaos, Bishop Mwai chose forgiveness over retaliation. He publicly announced that he had instructed police to release the detained youth, believing they had been manipulated by outside forces.
“I know that there were people using them, and as we speak, some have been arrested and are being held here. But I have forgiven them and said they should be freed,” Mwai stated.
His remarks echoed a larger sentiment—the church stands firm, unshaken by opposition.
The Debate Continues
While Ruto’s unwavering support for religious donations resonates with his base, the controversy is far from over.
Critics argue that church donations should be a private matter, not a state-backed initiative.
Meanwhile, supporters view the backlash as an attack on Kenya’s Christian identity. With economic frustrations mounting, this debate is far from settled.
