Catholic apostle calls out President Ruto’s policies in subtle rebuke
In a veiled but blistering critique of President William Ruto’s policies, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Herbertus Van Megan, has taken issue with the government’s imposition of social taxes, particularly the controversial housing levy.
Speaking during the colourful ordination ceremony of Bishop Jackson Murugara as the coadjutor of the Catholic Diocese of Meru at Kinoru Stadium on March 19, 2025, Megan told Catholic leaders to not go the way of the Kenyan government, as neither politics nor taxation is necessary to fulfill divine mandates.
“You don’t need to impose a housing levy to build a new house for the Lord, nor do you have to apply social taxes to feed the hungry, to turn stones into bread, or into millions of chapatti,” Van Megan declared, drawing sharp parallels between biblical narratives and Kenya’s economic policies.
Megan went further to stress that the church was never built on material wealth or political influence, warning against reducing spirituality to a matter of state policy.
“You don’t have to go for an election campaign. You don’t need any church advertisements. The foundations of the Church, in the first place, are not about building stones or beautiful cathedrals but a temple that is built in the heart,” he said, challenging the notion that governance and faith must intertwine for societal progress.
Addressing the newly ordained bishop directly, Megan reminded him that his calling was divine, not political, and advised him not to impose harsh rules that will strain congregants. “Jackson, take it from me. As a bishop, you don’t have to prove yourself,” he told Bishop Jackson Murugara, cautioning him against being drawn into political theatrics.
Politicians clamped
The grand occasion, which was also a farewell for long-serving Bishop Salesius Mugambi, took an unexpected turn when the high-profile roster of politicians, who had swarmed the event, were unceremoniously denied a chance to address the gathering—leaving them visibly taken aback.
In his first resolute pronouncement after ordination, Bishop Murugara upheld the decision, citing the Catholic Church’s recent directive against allowing its sacred podiums to be used for political showboating and self-glorification.
“We cannot turn sacred grounds into battlegrounds for political supremacy. The pulpit is meant for the gospel, not for campaign speeches,” he stated, making it clear that the church would no longer serve as a platform for political showmanship.
However, Murugara acknowledged their presence but stuck to only mentioning their names for the eager mass to know that they were in the stadium.
They included the newly sworn-in Meru Governor Mutuma M’ethingwa, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, former Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Erastus Njoka, and veteran politician Kiraitu Murungi.
Rejected donations
The revered padre’s remarks come a paltry few weeks after President William Ruto himself came out to slam religious institutions—particularly the Catholic Church—for rejecting donations from political leaders.
Speaking after a church service at the Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi County, on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Ruto acknowledged facing criticism over his frequent church contributions. In a fiery defence of his generosity, the head of state insisted that offerings made in church were not meant for individuals but were directed to God.
“Unajua nimelaumiwa mara nyingi sana kwa mambo ya matoleo kanisani. Wakati tunamtolea Mungu, hatumpatii binadamu matoleo. Tunayotoa si kwa sababu tunampatia Bishop Mwai, hatumpatii congregation—tunampatia Mungu,” he argued, making it clear that his philanthropy was guided by faith rather than political gain.
Ruto further challenged church leaders to justify their rejection of his funds, stating that nowhere in the Bible did it say that donations made to God should be returned by bishops.
“Na mimi nimejaribu sana kutafuta kwa Biblia, na mimi ni msomi kiasi wa Biblia, na nimejaribu kutafuta mahali inasema ati ukimpatia Mungu inarudishiwa na Askofu,” he remarked.
Church’s stance on donation
Ruto’s remarks followed months of tension after the Catholic Church publicly rejected his Ksh5 million donation to the Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi. In a firm stance against political funding, Archbishop Philip Anyolo declared on Monday, November 18, 2024, that the church would return the money, citing constitutional and legal concerns.
According to Anyolo, the donation violated the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024, which prohibits soliciting or receiving funds without proper authorisation. “Under Section 10(2), it is deemed that any person who solicits or receives money or a benefit conducts a fundraising appeal, regardless of whether the representation made was direct or indirect. Such fundraising appeals require a permit in accordance with the bill,” read the statement in part.
In addition to Ruto’s rejected funds, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had also contributed Ksh200,000 to the parish choir and Parish Missionary Council (PMC), while the president had pledged an additional KSh3 million for the construction of the Father’s house and a parish bus. However, Anyolo maintained that all these funds would be refunded and the promised donations declined.
“These include the Governor of Nairobi’s donation of Ksh200,000 to the parish choir and PMC; the President’s donation of Ksh600,000 to the choir and PMC; and Ksh2 million for the construction of the Father’s house. These funds will be refunded to the respective donors,” the archbishop’s statement read.
Furthermore, the church made it clear that it would not entertain political donations disguised as acts of faith, asserting its independence from state influence.
