Kathiani Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui, has expressed his doubts on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s integrity.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday November 25, 2024, the Kathiani MP pointed out that the money politicians donate to churches often exceeds their official salaries, raising concerns about the sources of their wealth.
The MP claimed that Kindiki is yielding to pressure from his political allies by donating millions to the church, a practice he did not engage in while serving as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
“When politicians donate millions to churches, it creates pressure on their allies to do the same,” said Mbui.
He added, “When Kindiki was the Interior CS, he wasn’t attending harambees to give out money, but the moment he became Deputy President, he suddenly had Ksh2 million to donate to a church. That’s not politics; that’s corruption.”
The MP emphasized that efforts to fight corruption must start from the top and filter down to all levels of government.
Mbui’s comments were in reference to Deputy President Kindiki’s Ksh2 million donation to the AIPCA Central Western Archdiocese on November 17, 2024.
During the service, Kindiki also revealed that President Ruto had sent a Ksh5 million offering for the church.
“Rais amenituma na sadaka ya Ksh5 million. Nasindikisha hiyo sadaka ya mkubwa wangu na sadaka yangu binafsi ya Ksh2 million,” Kindiki said.
Recently, the Kenya Kwanza administration has faced criticism from the clergy, who expressed dissatisfaction with the unfulfilled promises made during the election campaigns.
Additionally, the Nairobi Catholic Bishops returned Ksh2 million donated by President Ruto and Ksh. 200,000 from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, intended for the construction of the Utawala parish priest’s house.
Archbishop Philip Anyolo raised concerns that the donations violated the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, emphasizing that the church must reject contributions that could compromise its independence.
In response, President Ruto stood firm, asserting that he would not stop making donations to churches, stating that he is “a product of giving.”
“We have absolutely no apologies to make as we give to God because God gave first. We understand the word of God enough to know that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that is what we are going to do,” Ruto said during a church service in Kericho on Sunday, November 24.
He added, “We will build our churches and work together to spread the word of God. I have helped build 30 churches in 30 years, and I have never lacked because I know the secret in giving and what it does.”
