The Ministry of Health has denied launching an online fundraiser for a church.
In a statement on Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Ministry of Health termed reports that it was fundraising for a church as fake.
This is despite having released a statement for the fundraiser through its official X account calling for Kenyans to fundraise for the church. The post, which had photos of Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, called for contributions through a private number for the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), St Mathews Church.
In its subsequent statement, the Ministry did not acknowledge making a mistake in posting the information but simply flagged it as fake.
“This post is fake. Disregard and desist from sharing false information,” the Ministry said in a post on X, accompanied by a screenshot of the previous statement.
K24 Digital had archived the previous statement, before running a story which questioned the fundraiser launched by the Ministry.
The Ministry also went on to hide replies which seemed to expose the Ministry to ridicule for the post.
PS Muthoni claimed that the page had been hacked, saying that she does not attend to harambeers.
“Don’t waste your time hacking the ministry’s page. I don’t do Harambee’s and I will continue working for this nation. Hey, get busy!” she posted on X.
In the initial statement, the Ministry called on Kenyans to contribute funds for ACK St Mathews Church to build a church kitchen, vicarage, guest house and parish hall.
“ACK St. Mathews Church community is developing church projects thru fundraising to be held on Sunday 6th October. As the church plans for this, we wish to kick off the fundraising ONLINE to help fund among others, Church Kitchen, Vicarage, Guest House, Parish Hall. Kindly help us by contributing generously and send your contribution to our online treasurer,” the statement read in part.
The statement was accompanied by photos of Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, insinuating endorsement.
Ban to fundraisers
This comes less than two months after the government officially banned state officers and public servants from participating in fundraisers.
In a statement to senior government officers and heads of state corporations, h**d of public service Felix Koskei advised the state officers and public servants to observe and comply with the directives in line with President William Ruto’s remarks on July 5, 2024.
“In order to uphold the national principles and values of governance enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution and in various legislation including the Public Officers Ethics Act, the Public Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the Public Collections Act, all public officers are required to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and to secure their strict compliance with the directive as well as compliance by all officers under their supervision, direction, or control,” Koskei said.
Ruto ordered an end to the public harambees after the youth complained about public servants flaunting wads of cash in church contributions even as the government preached austerity.
“In that regard, and conscious of the duty to ensure that the spirit of Harambee continues to propel its noble ideals while addressing concerns on accountability and ethical conduct within the public service, it is notified that His Excellency the President has directed that no state officer and public servant shall participate in public collections (harambees) henceforth,” Koskei emphasized.
He directed that the measures would serve temporarily even as the Attorney General prepares a legal framework within which the harambees would be conducted.
“All public officers are further notified that all the Service Commissions (Public Service Commission, Parliamentary Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Teachers Service Commission and Police Service Commission) in collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), will establish an institutional framework to monitor compliance with this new government policy. This framework is an interim administrative State Intervention until a law facilitating structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes is enacted,” Koskei noted.
