Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), has raised concerns over how politicians, including President William Ruto, make donations to the Church.
He pointed out that some of these contributions appear to be more about gaining public attention rather than genuine generosity.
He was speaking at the Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Jackson Murugara in Meru when he addressed the issue of what he called “microphone donations.”
These are contributions made in front of cameras, often accompanied by grand announcements, which seem to serve the donor’s image rather than the Church’s mission.
The Archbishop acknowledged that the Church has always relied on donations to support its work. However, he emphasized that true goodwill should be done discreetly, in line with the principle that “good must be done well in silence.”
This statement highlights the Church’s position that donations should not be turned into political tools or means of self-promotion.
The concern is that accepting publicized donations from politicians may compromise the Church’s independence or make it appear aligned with certain political interests.
This is not the first time the Catholic Church has taken a firm stand on donations from politicians. In November 2024, the Archdiocese of Nairobi made a bold move by returning a donation from President Ruto.
The Church cited concerns that accepting the money could create the impression that it was being influenced politically.
The decision sent a clear message that the Catholic Church wants to safeguard its integrity and ensure that its actions are not dictated by political interests.
Over the years, Kenyan politicians have frequently used donations to religious institutions as a way to gain favor with the public.
Large sums of money are often given during church services, with the donors expecting political mileage in return. This practice has drawn criticism, with many questioning the source of such funds and whether they are genuinely meant to support religious activities or merely to secure votes.
The Catholic Church’s recent actions suggest a growing unwillingness to play along with this trend.
The Archbishop’s comments come at a time when the public is increasingly scrutinizing political donations. Many Kenyans have raised concerns about the transparency of funds given to churches, particularly when such contributions come from leaders facing allegations of corruption.
By rejecting donations that appear politically motivated, the Catholic Church is positioning itself as an institution that values its independence and credibility more than financial gain.
This development may also influence other religious institutions in Kenya to reconsider how they handle political donations. While some churches have openly welcomed contributions from politicians, the Catholic Church’s stance could encourage a broader debate on the relationship between religion and politics.
If more religious leaders take a stand against publicized donations, it may force politicians to rethink their approach and ensure that their contributions are based on genuine support rather than publicity.
The message from Archbishop Muhatia is clear: donations to the Church should not be about personal gain or political image. Instead, they should be acts of silent generosity, free from the need for public recognition.
Whether other religious institutions will adopt a similar stance remains to be seen, but the Catholic Church’s decision to reject questionable donations signals a shift in how religious organizations engage with political figures in Kenya.
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