Nairobi, March 5- Pastor Edward Mwai, founder of Jesus Winner Ministry, has found himself at the center of controversy following President William Ruto’s pledge of Ksh.120 million to his church. The commitment, made during a Sunday service, included a personal donation of Ksh.20 million and an additional Ksh.100 million to be raised through a fundraiser, sparking excitement among the congregation.
However, the announcement has ignited public outrage, with many Kenyans questioning the appropriateness of such a large donation amid ongoing calls for government austerity. Some critics have even threatened to protest at the church, demanding accountability.
In response, Pastor Mwai revealed that he and his wife have been bombarded with thousands of abusive messages, forcing him to change his phone number. “I have received over 5,000 hateful messages and can no longer make calls,” he told Daily Nation, admitting that the backlash has left him feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
Clarifying the situation, he stated that the church has not received any funds from the President and that Ruto’s donation remains a mere promise. “For the record, President Ruto did not leave any money. It was just a pledge, like many others that may or may not be fulfilled,” he said, urging skeptics to review the church’s live service footage to verify that no funds were received.
Mwai further distanced himself from church finances, explaining that he neither collects nor handles tithes and offerings. “There is a designated team responsible for that, and they have confirmed that nothing has been received from the President,” he added.
During his visit to Jesus Winner Ministry, Ruto also announced that a 20-acre plot in Roysambu, previously owned by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), had been allocated to the church. “As Commander-in-Chief, I directed KDF that this land is sacred and should be used for the church,” Ruto stated, pledging to support the construction efforts.
In response to the controversy, a movement using the hashtag #OccupyJesusWinner has emerged, calling for a mass protest at the church on March 9. Several prominent figures, including lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and commentator Francis Gaitho, have urged Kenyans to mobilize and demand transparency over the pledged funds and land allocation. “Mark the date—Sunday, March 9—we must occupy Jesus Winner Ministry Roysambu,” Njiru posted, encouraging nationwide participation.
