Archbishop Phillip Anyolo confirms refunding ver Ksh5.8 million Ruto, Sakaja donated
Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo has confirmed refunding money politicians donated to the church by President William Ruto and the Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja
Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo has confirmed refunding money donated to the church by President William Ruto and the Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking on Saturday, November 30, the Nairobi Archdiocese said it had decided to refund Governor Johnson Sakaja’s KSh 200,000 donation and President Ruto’s KSh 2.6 million donation and would not accept the president’s pledge of KSh 3 million and a parish bus.
While addressing the press, Anyolo asserted that the Catholic Church is not interested in a shouting match with the government, and returning the money is not an odd thing, rather than a thing that the church has done before.
“We’re ready and willing and have returned the money,” he said. However, Anyolo would not respond to backlash from politicians over the move.
“I’m not a politician and would not like to weigh in on things the president has spoken about publicly. I’m not responding to politicians. We have a way of handling matters with them,” he said.
Anyolo further noted that it was not the first time refunding money to politicians. “Only that it came out explosively (this time).”
He further stressed the importance of listening, saying: “Any time we go wrong regarding church administration, we listen. The spirit of listening is important; what people want is important.”
On November 17, 2024, the Archdiocese announced the rejection of several donations made at Soweto Catholic Church by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) directives and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024.
This is after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had donated Ksh200,000 to the Parish Choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC), while the President donated Ksh600,000 to the same organisations.
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Additionally, President Ruto also contributed Ksh2 million to the construction of the priest’s house. The Head of State further promised to donate an additional Ksh3 million that would be channelled to the church’s account to purchase a church bus.
Bishop Anyolo further said that the church welcomes criticism on its side. The bishop said that the church embraces transparency and honesty.
“Anytime we go wrong, because of our transparency within the church system and administration, people come and tell us, and that’s alright, and we learn to do it,” the Bibishopaid.
While returning the funds, the church emphasised the importance of preserving the church’s independence and sanctity, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding political contributions.
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