Nairobi archbishop declines Kenyan president’s donations to Catholic parish

ACI Africa, Nov 20, 2024 / 17:30 pm

The archbishop of Kenya’s Archdiocese of Nairobi has turned down financial donations that the country’s president offered to a Catholic parish, stating that the Church will not be compromised by offers from politicians who seek to use church fundraising events for self gain.

In a Nov. 18 statement widely circulated on social media platforms, Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira declined over 5 million Kenyan shillings ($38,500) that President William Samoei Ruto offered to Soweto Catholic Church on Nov. 17. The cash gift was meant for the construction of a new rectory at the parish.

The president further gave the parish choir and the Pontifical Missionary Childhood a 600,000 Kenyan shilling ($4,600) cash reward and promised to donate a bus to the parish, both of which the archbishop has also declined.

In the statement, the archbishop explained that the “political donations” to the Soweto Catholic Church are in violation of Kenya’s Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which requires fundraising appeals to have a permit.

“These funds will be refunded to the respective donors,” Anyolo said, adding in reference to the president’s pledge: “The promised additional 3 million [Kenyan shillings, $23,256] for the construction of the [pastor’s] house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the president, are hereby declined.”

He said that members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have consistently maintained a firm stance on the matter of politicians donating money to churches, highlighting the ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes.

“The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events such as fundraisers and gatherings as platforms for political self-promotion,” Anyolo said. “Politicians are urged to refrain from turning the pulpit into a stage for political rhetoric, as such actions undermine the sanctity of worship spaces.”

The archbishop said the Church is called to uphold her integrity by refusing contributions that may “inadvertently” compromise her independence or facilitate “unjust enrichment.”

Making reference to the letter that KCCB members issued on Nov. 14 calling out the government for ignoring “pertinent unresolved issues,” Anyolo said “political leaders are urged to demonstrate ethical leadership by addressing the pressing issues raised by the KCCB.”

He reiterated KCCB members’ message saying that politicians should address issues such as political wrangles, corruption, politics of self-interest, violations of human rights, and freedom of speech as well as “the culture of lies.”

Anyolo also recalled the KCCB’s call to Kenyan politicians to pay attention to issues surrounding the National Health Insurance Fund and what they described as “unfulfilled promises, misplaced priorities, selfish agendas to extend terms of elected leaders, and over-taxation of Kenyans.”

The archbishop said the Church must remain a neutral entity, free from political influence, to effectively serve as a space for spiritual growth and community guidance. He said that while politicians are welcome to attend church for their spiritual nourishment, they must do so as ordinary Christians, “without leveraging their positions for political gain.”

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.