President William Ruto has promised to give Ksh10 million for the construction of a church along Outering Road in Embakasi, Nairobi.
Ruto, who attended service on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Stewards Revival Pentecostal Church, said the church had been partly affected during the construction of the Outering Road and that it needed a reconstruction.
The Head of State, while speaking at the church, acknowledged the existence of new rules that aim at stopping public servants from participating in church fundraisers but said he would use a different approach to give his contribution.
Ruto on his contribution
Ruto stated that the Ksh10 million he has promised would not be given through a harambee.
According to the first in command, he will mobilise his friends and family members to raise the funds, which he will eventually take to the church for the construction to be completed.
President Ruto said he had been invited to the special service to mark the 14th anniversary of the church, which he could not afford to miss based on his relationship with Stewards Revival Pentecostal Church head bishop Samuel Njiriri.
The president arrived in the country at 6 am on Sunday morning from his visit to the state of Germany.
“Nilimaliza kazi kitu saa tisa na nusu hivi huko Ujerumani, lakini sasa nikakumbuka kuna Bishop Njiriri ananingojea. Mimi huyo mbio hadi airport, nimefika hapa saa kumi na mbili leo. Furaha yangu ni kwamba nimetimiza kuja katika kanisa la Stewards to celebrate with you. Na mimi nataka niseme kanisa hii imebarikiwa. Kwa sababu mnaombea nchi yetu, na mnaombea watito wetu. Asanteni sana for standing in the gap for our nation.
“Mlisema tulikuja hapa 2010, na kanisa hii ilipata majeraha kidogo wakati barabara hii ilikuwa inatengenezwa. Bishop ametuuliza kwamba hii kanisa tujenge sasa ikuwe kanisa ya kisasa na askofu unajua mimi najulikana sana kwa kufanya hii kazi na, you can count me in.
“Kuna mambo mengi yametokea katika harambe na michango, tukasema tuweke taratibu ya vile harambe zitakuwa zinafanyika katika taifa letu. Na kwa sababu hiyo, mimi nishakubaliana na akofu Njiriri, na marafiki nikiwa na familia yangu na watu ya hapo, na nimesema yakwamba nitapanga na milioni kumi nitaleta. Lakini sio harambee, ni my contribution. Nitaweka mtaratara ya kupanga hiyo.
Ruto’s Ban on Fundraising Activities
On Thursday, June 11, 2024, President William Ruto announced that the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill is ready for publication. This followed his earlier declaration on July 5, 2024, in which he stated that no state officers would be allowed to participate in fundraising activities.
“The Attorney General is hereby directed to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes,” Ruto said.
This decision came after several leaders were criticized for contributing large sums during fundraisers, raising questions about the sources of these funds. This scrutiny prompted President Ruto to take action.
Ruto’s Contradictory Actions
However, shortly after, President Ruto appeared to contradict himself when he pledged to write a cheque to support the completion of a church building. Speaking after a church service at A.I.P.C.A. Ndogino in Nyandarua County on Sunday, July 14, 2024, Ruto asked the presiding priest to provide him with the remaining costs for the project and promised to cover the expenses.
While making this pledge, Ruto acknowledged the pressure to end church fundraisers but emphasized that public feedback on the proposed Public Fundraising Appeals Bill would help shape future policies. He assured the congregation that the bill would safeguard churches from receiving funds linked to corruption.
