DP Ruto counters clergy over controversial harambee remarks

Deputy President William Ruto has responded to church leaders over plans to review donations from politicians, saying they are Christians first and ‘other titles after’.

On Wednesday morning, Dr. Ruto posted a 48-worded statement on Twitter fuelling the contention that has arisen over church fundraisers that are popular with Kenyan politicians.

“Since Sunday school we learned to kneel before and worship GOD that’s the ONLY reason we stand before men. We will continue to worship JEHOVAH with our hearts and substance. We are unashamed of our God & unapologetic of our faith. We are Christians first other title after,” he said.

His statement comes a day after the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) through its archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit said it was evil to clean proceeds of corruption by donating to charity.

“Let us not allow harambee money to become a subtle way of sanitising corrupt leaders,” Sapit said at a media briefing by the Multi-sectoral Initiative Against Corruption.

Last week, the Catholic Church in Kenya, through a resolution of the Conference of Bishops, instructed priests to bar leaders from politicking in church.

Bishop David Kamau said churches must remain true to what they are meant for, adding that politicians should politic elsewhere.

We met recently as Catholic Bishops and passed a resolution that we should not allow politicians to interfere with our congregations or to bring politics in our churches,” said Bishop Kamau.

He added: “We would like our politicians to understand that we don’t want to mix issues. Let us leave politics where it belongs and the church where it belongs.”

In March this year, DP Ruto dismissed claims by ODM leader Raila Odinga that a car he (Ruto) gifted Kisumu Diocese Archbishop Philip Anyolo was rejected by the church.

Mr. Odinga had alleged that Pope Francis directed Archbishop Anyolo’s team to return the Ksh.4million Mitsubishi Pajero to its giver.

“Public funds are being looted daily yet poor Kenyans are suffering. Every day, the prices of commodities are rising while graft perpetrators, who are known to the public, run to churches with stolen money,” Raila Oding said.

“We know where that person stays, what he earns and what his wife earns. Where does he get the millions of shillings that he dishes out in churches? A time has come when every corrupt person should carry his own cross,” he said Raila Odinga during a burial in Siaya County.

An angry DP responded terming his sentiments as ‘desperate lies’.

The master of deceit as always is spewing desperate lies. The car gift was bought by Christian leaders including UK and myself at the request of the chair of Catholic mps.Understandably Empowering the church offends magicians and the evil spirits they worship. Shetani ashindwe!

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 3, 2019