Havi to Ruto: If you pick a war with the church, you will lose

“You pick a war with the Catholic and Anglican church, you will lose. You will lose terribly. The Anglican and Catholic church are the richest formations… they are enterprises,” he said. 

The former LSK boss went ahead to dismiss ridicule directed at President William Ruto over his recently questioned huge monetary donations to the church.

In Havi's view, it is illogical to question President Ruto's source of his donations based on the argument that he earns a monthly salary of Ksh.2 million as Head of State.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, Havi argued that based on his assessment, Ruto is a deep-pocketed man owing to his farming businesses, and he can easily afford to dish out huge amounts of money to whoever he pleases.

"I know the President is a big farmer, he is not a man of recent arrival. He is a man of deep pockets not just limited to his Ksh.2 million. I'm also a man of deep pockets so if you see me donate Ksh.5 million to a church don't ask me silly questions. These questions are silly," Havi stated.

His sentiments lie on the backdrop of a sour relationship with the church as the Archdiocese of Nairobi returned Ksh.2.8 million donated by the President and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on November 17.

The collapsed relationship stems from ignored calls for vigilance, sobriety and integrity in governance as many churches have censured the state for poor leadership.

President Ruto has however maintained that he will not stop giving monetary advances to churches, noting that that he has been committed to supporting the advancement of churches and the spread of Christianity by donating money.

Speaking during a church service in Kericho, Ruto said he will not stop his customary deed since he is "a product of giving", adding that he will not be silenced by naysayers.

"We have absolutely no apologies to make as we give to God because God gave first. We understand the word of God enough to know that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that is what we are going to do," he said.

Similarly, Ruto's government has been censured for allowing the political class to fundraise on pulpits amid a crunched economy, amid claims that the millions donated to churches are proceeds of graft.