A wave of controversy has followed the Archdiocese of Nairobi’s decision to reject political donations, including KSh 200,000 from the Nairobi governor, KSh 600,000 from the president, and KSh 2 million designated for a church project.
In a statement, the Archdiocese emphasized its commitment to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) guidelines, which discourage political donations to the Church.
On November 14, 2024, the KCCB addressed ethical concerns regarding political contributions, cautioning against the use of church events for political promotion. They stressed that turning worship spaces into platforms for rhetoric undermines their sanctity. The bishops called on leaders to prioritize key national issues such as corruption, political wrangles, human rights violations, and the culture of dishonesty.
The Archdiocese also highlighted the importance of the Church’s neutrality, ensuring its independence from political influence to focus on its spiritual mission.
Citing the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which requires permits for fundraising efforts, the Archdiocese noted that the donations made on November 17, 2024, during an event at Soweto Catholic Church breached this law. Consequently, donations from the governor, president, and additional funds for constructing the Fathers’ house will be refunded. A pledged KSh 3 million for the construction and a parish bus donation from the president were also declined.
The statement concluded by welcoming politicians to participate in church activities as ordinary Christians while urging them to avoid leveraging their positions for political advantage.
