I'm doing this to shame my political detractors - Ruto promises church Ksh.100M donation

While taking the lectern, Ruto addressed his much-ridiculed church monetary donations, maintaining that he will not tire from "giving to God".

"I am a product of giving to God and I am unapologetic about giving to God and I do it on the firm foundation of the scriptures," he told congregants.

The president therefore stated he will give Ksh.20 million from his pockets to propel the church's intended construction, promising a further donation at an upcoming harambee for the facility.

"I have accepted to come and do harambee together and in that harambee, I will go make arrangements with my friends we look for Ksh.100 million and bring it here," Ruto told the crowd that had gone berserk while chanting "Ruto! Ruto!"

"We will build this church so that we shame our political enemies."

The president has, despite heightened ridicule on donating money to churches, maintained his commitment to supporting the advancement of churches and the spread of the Christian faith.

President Ruto has maintained that he will not stop giving monetary advances to churches amid rising criticism from the clergy and Kenyans.

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.

This even sparked a rift between the church as the Archdiocese of Nairobi returned Ksh.2.8 million donated by the President and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on November 17, 2024.

The Archdiocese rejected the money made at Soweto Catholic Church, saying that the rejection aligns with Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) directives and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024.