Archbishop Anyolo Confirms Ruto, Sakaja Money Not Yet Returned But In The Process
Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo has reiterated that the Catholic Church is ready and eager to reimburse the Ksh5.8 million donation made by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Speaking on Saturday, Anyolo acknowledged that the money had not yet been refunded.
However, the church is waiting for the government to tell them how to return the money. Anyolo acknowledged what the administration had been pushing on all along.
While addressing the press, Anyolo claimed that the Catholic Church is not engaged in a shouting battle with the government and that returning the money is not an unusual act, but rather something that the church has done before.
“We were ready and willing, and we returned everything we were supposed to, it is not the first time we are doing it, and we will continue doing it,” Anyolo confirmed.
“We returned everything, it is not the first time and we will continue doing it,” Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Anyolo on Ruto and Sakaja donations pic.twitter.com/418GZApRbZ
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 30, 2024
On November 17, 2024, the Archdiocese announced the rejection of many donations made to Soweto Catholic Church in accordance with Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) regulations and the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024.
This comes after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated Ksh200,000 to the Parish Choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC), while the President gave Ksh600,000 to the same institutions.
President Ruto also gave Ksh2 million to the construction of the priest’s home.
The Head of State also committed to provide an additional Ksh3 million, which would be transferred to the church’s account to purchase a church bus.
The bishop did not dispute the State House’s statement that they had yet to return the cash.
Ruto told State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on November 19 that the Catholic Church denied his donation but did not repay it.
Neither the State House nor President Ruto have commented on the church’s most recent developments in the ongoing dispute.
Bishop Anyolo has also advocated for unity among political leaders and the church, stating that communication and listening skills must be developed by all parties.
The bishop, on the other hand, declined to comment on the jibes political leaders have leveled at the church after it criticized Kenya’s Kwanza government.
“I don’t want to discuss things that the president has said in public. I am not a politician; I am a shepherd,” Anyolo said.
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“I don’t want to argue about what the president or the politicians have said. We have a way of handling matters with them as we did.”
Bishop Anyolo also stated that the church welcomes criticism from its side. The bishop stated that the church values 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 bishop said.
While returning the donations, the church stressed the necessity of maintaining the church’s independence and sanctity, as well as the ethical considerations associated with political contributions.
Archbishop Anyolo Confirms Ruto, Sakaja Money Not Yet Returned But In The Process
