By Springs News NG | March 10, 2025

Kenyan police fired tear gas http://Kenyan police fired tear gasand arrested several protesters in Nairobi as demonstrators attempted to storm a church that recently received a controversial donation from President William Ruto.

According to reports, the protest erupted outside Jesus Winner Ministry in the Roysambu suburb, where Ruto had donated 20 million Kenyan shillings ($155,000; £120,000). The demonstrators, frustrated by the country’s rising cost of living, accused the president of misplaced priorities.

Clashes broke out as protesters set fires and blocked roads with rocks, prompting a strong police response. Despite the chaos, the church service proceeded under heavy security.

Bishop Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry condemned the protests, alleging that “thugs” had been mobilized to disrupt worship.

Defending his donation, President Ruto, a devout evangelical Christian, stated that his contributions to churches were part of a broader effort to combat moral decay in Kenya.

“Kenya must know God so that we shame the people who are telling us that we cannot associate with the church,” Ruto declared during another service in Eldoret, where he pledged a similar donation.

However, the president’s financial contributions to religious institutions have drawn widespread criticism. Many young Kenyans, already burdened by high taxes and economic hardship, argue that the government should prioritize public welfare over church donations.

Ruto maintains that tax hikes are necessary to address Kenya’s growing debt, inherited from the previous administration. But critics argue that he should instead focus on reducing public spending and tackling corruption.

Last year, Kenya’s Catholic and Anglican leaders rejected political donations, warning against the use of churches for political gain. In 2023, nationwide protests over tax increases forced Ruto to withdraw a controversial Finance Bill.

With growing discontent, the backlash over this latest donation underscores the tension between the government’s fiscal policies and public frustration.