Over the past week, President William Ruto made significant financial contributions totaling Sh40 million to two Kenyan churches. On March 2, 2025, President Ruto attended a fundraiser at the Jesus Winner Ministry Church in Nairobi’s Roysambu area, where he donated KSh. 20 million. This contribution was intended to support the church’s ongoing projects and initiatives. His donation elicited both support and criticism from a section of Kenyans.
On March 9, 2025, he attended a service at the AIC Fellowship Annex in Eldoret City, where he pledged an additional Sh 20 million. While addressing the congregation, President Ruto dismissed his critics as “people who don’t believe in God” and emphasized his determination to continue supporting the church.
“God will be known in this country, and this nation will do great exploits,” he told the church and Kenyans at large.
His first contribution was met with protests who took to the streets of Roysambu to demonstrate against the Sh 20 million to a church while other Kenyans were suffering inflation, unemployment and underfunded public institutions such as hospitals that lacked basic medicine, equipment and staffing. After running battles with anti-rioting police, 38 Kenyans were arrested and released without any charges brought against them.
Following the President’s second twin donation in a matter of days, despite the harsh criticism, a section of Kenyans began theorizing where this money could be coming from that he freely dished out to religious institutions.
“He earns less than US Dollar 10,000 yet donates US Dollar 154,000 in one week. Where is the source of all this money?” wondered M.G.
Nairobi Post now brings you some of these unverified theories published widely across the Kenyan social media scene:
“Clearly president William Ruto is overtaxing Kenyans and misusing the taxes collected to give out as donations yet the people are having one meal a day. We are tired. Why would a Church need 20 million??” asked E.K.
“Probably it’s money laundering through the church 🤷. Because he only chooses the rich churches to donate the millions to. Let him come to the small and poor churches too,” opined S.L.
“The president is misusing our hard earned taxes. He’s using it to bribe pastors yet most Kenyans can’t afford public goods like education and Healthcare. We’re tired,” added T.G.C.
“Am supporting protesters why is he misusing Kenyans money while ppl struggling to with life,” asked B.W.
“We will not allow church to take proceeds of corruption. There are schools that have no classroom but Ruto is dishing out money to churches,” warned M.S.
“Stealing public resources and giving it on a broad day light to a few individuals with big stomachs won’t secure him another term. He ran away from his campaign manifesto he’s busy stealing and killing our economy,” opined J.M.T.
“Money laundering went wrong 😀,” laughed N.X.O.
These substantial donations continue to reignite debates about the role of political figures in religious philanthropy, especially in light of previous austerity measures and the current economic challenges facing the nation.
While supporters argue that such contributions reflect the President’s commitment to faith-based initiatives, critics question the prudence of allocating large sums to churches when essential public services require funding. The discourse continues as Kenyans grapple with balancing religious support and addressing socio-economic priorities.
