KENYA: Catholic Church in Kenya Maintains Stand Against Publicized Political Donations

Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA

Following the ongoing cash donations by politicians in various churches in the country, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has maintained their stance against Church donations stressing that the Catholic Church will not accept money that individuals dish out for publicity, and that “good must be done in silence”.

“We are concerned about microphone donations. We are concerned about loudspeaker donations. We are concerned about donations for publicity,” says Archbishop Muhatia at the at the ordination of Monsignor Jackson Murugara on Wednesday, March 19 2025.

In his address, Archbishop Muhatia added that “this is the resolution of KCCB. We invite all priests in our respective dioceses to walk and move in tune with this resolution. It is for the good of everybody, it is for the good of our country in ensuring that issue of responsibility and accountability are sorted out”.

The chairman of KCCB clarified that the Church is not against donation because evangelization has always relied on the generosity of the people, and that the acts of goodwill should not be publicized.

“I want to clarify that since the beginning, the Church has always depended on donations. Since the time of Jesus Christ, the ministry of Jesus was supported heavily by donations”, he continued, “The Church, since time immemorial, depends on the goodwill of men and women in this work of evangelization, we don’t refuse donations; we don’t reject donations. We are saying, ‘good must be done well in silence”.

On his part, Archbishop Anyolo reiterated that the Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of Church events such as fundraisers and gatherings as platforms for political self-promotion.

“Politicians are urged to refrain from turning the pulpit into a stage for political rhetoric, as such actions undermine the sanctity of worship spaces,” he continued, urging all the Catholics in Kenya to be in the forefront in making the “Kenya We Desire”.

“It is our responsibility as the body of the Church to fight against corruption, knowing only too well the damage it causes to society and the suffering it brings to many of our brothers and sisters”, let us all join hands in this campaign as we walk together as men and women of the same faith, men and women belonging to the same country”.