Nairobi, Kenya, November 19- The Archdiocese of Nairobi has reinforced its adherence to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) policy against accepting political donations to the Church, underscoring its commitment to preserving its independence and ethical standards.
In a statement issued by the KCCB on November 14, 2024, and shared in all churches across the Archdiocese on Sunday, November 17, 2024, the bishops highlighted the critical need to protect the Church’s sanctity from the ethical dilemmas associated with political contributions.
Archbishop Philip A. Anyolo, representing the Archdiocese, reiterated the Church’s firm stance against allowing its platforms to be used for political agendas.
This follows recent donations, including Ksh. 200,000 from the Nairobi Governor and Ksh. 600,000 from the President to the Parish Choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC). Additionally, President William Ruto contributed Ksh. 2 million toward the construction of the Fathers’ House. Despite these gestures, the bishops rejected further contributions, including a Ksh. 3 million pledge for ongoing construction projects and a parish bus donation.
The Archdiocese announced its intention to return any funds already received that contravene the Church’s directives. Politicians were also urged to refrain from turning the pulpit into a platform for rhetoric, as this undermines the sacredness of religious spaces.
Reaffirming its position as a neutral institution, the Church emphasized its responsibility to reject any financial contributions that compromise its integrity or promote unethical practices. It further called on political leaders to address pressing national concerns, such as corruption, human rights abuses, overtaxation, unfulfilled promises, and political infighting.
The bishops appealed to leaders to demonstrate ethical governance by prioritizing the well-being of Kenyans over personal or political ambitions. While encouraging politicians to participate in church services for spiritual purposes, Archbishop Anyolo urged them to do so as ordinary believers, not as figures seeking to leverage their positions for political gain.
The Archbishop concluded by stressing that the Church must remain a sacred space for worship and community guidance, free from political manipulation or external influence.
