Kenyan Police have used tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to occupy a church in Nairobi’s Roysambu suburb, following a controversial donation by President William Ruto.
The Jesus Winner Ministry, which received 20 million shillings (around £120,000), has come under scrutiny from young Kenyans who are grappling with the country’s soaring cost of living. The donation has sparked anger among those who feel that the funds could be better spent addressing the nation’s financial struggles rather than supporting religious institutions.
President Ruto has defended his donation, which is part of his broader initiative to support religious organizations, and has promised a similar gift to another church in Eldoret. However, his actions have drawn criticism from Kenya’s Catholic and Anglican leaders, who have rejected donations in the past, citing concerns about the church being used for political purposes. Ruto, an evangelical Christian, argued that his donations are aimed at addressing Kenya’s moral decay and fostering a closer relationship with God, despite mounting public discontent.
Amidst the protests, clashes erupted, leading to the arrest of several individuals as demonstrators attempted to breach the church, block roads with rocks, and set fires. Despite the unrest, church services went ahead, with tight security measures in place. Bishop Edward Mwai accused unnamed individuals of mobilizing “thugs” to disrupt the service. Ruto’s critics, however, have voiced frustrations over the recent tax hikes imposed since his election, suggesting that the government should first tackle public waste and corruption before diverting funds to such donations.