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In Kenya, police employed tear gas to disperse demonstrators attempting to seize a church that recently received a significant donation from President William Ruto.
The donation of 20 million shillings (approximately $155,000 or £120,000) to the Jesus Winner Ministry, located in the Roysambu area of Nairobi, has sparked backlash from some young Kenyans facing the burdens of escalating living costs.
Defending his contribution, Ruto has also pledged similar support to another church in Eldoret.
It is notable that both the Catholic and Anglican churches in Kenya declined donations last year, citing the necessity of maintaining the church’s independence from political influences.
Clashes during the protests resulted in several arrests, with participants attempting to enter the church, setting small fires, and using rocks to obstruct roads in close proximity to the area.
Despite the unrest, reports indicate that the church service continued, secured by a heightened police presence to protect congregants.
Bishop Edward Mwai commented that certain unnamed individuals had incited “thugs” to disrupt the church’s activities, as noted by local news sources.
Ruto, who identifies as an evangelical Christian, reiterated his justification for the donation, suggesting it was part of a broader effort to combat what he perceives as moral decline in the country.
“Kenya must know God so that we shame the people who are telling us that we cannot associate with the church,” the Nation publication quotes him as stating during an event at a church in Eldoret.
The backdrop of this event includes widespread discontent among Kenyans regarding a series of tax increases implemented since Ruto took office in 2022.
While Ruto argues that these taxes are essential for servicing substantial debts inherited from his predecessor, many citizens believe that prioritizing the fight against public waste and corruption should be the foremost concern.
Last year, large-scale protests compelled Ruto to retract his Finance Bill, which proposed a variety of tax hikes, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the government and the populace over financial governance and social welfare.
Source
www.bbc.com