A Catholic bishop shocked many when he rejected money and a live goat presented to him while on the pulpit. Bishop Maria Wainaina of Murang’a Diocese rejected a Ksh.50,000 donation and a goat from Kirinyaga Member of County Assembly and instead requested them to help a nearby school for the deaf.
During the mass, MCAs walked to the pulpit to hand their thanksgiving gifts to the priest who in turn declined to receive them.
“Ile ambayo ni ya aina ya pesa, tuwasaidie wale ambao wana shida sana,” the bishop asserted.
Wainaina asked for the gifts to be taken to a nearby school for the deaf in Kerugoya, as part of their responsibility in looking after the people who put them in office.
“Kwa vile sisi ni viongozi wa umma, basi wale ambao wako na shida sana na tena zaidi, ndio tunataka sana sana waweze kupata manufaa ya kazi yetu, na nimeshukuru sana,” he added.
Bernard Gichangi, Nominated MCA, addressed the church reminding the priest that some days back he came to him requesting for prayers when he was about to face his impeachment and as a result he was back for thanksgiving.
“I thank you very much but let us give the donations to more deserving people,” said Bishop Wainaina.
“There are students at the school for the deaf in Kerugoya. Take it to them.”
The bishop’s call was met with agreement from the county representatives as a lawmaker requested the bishop to bless the gifts before delivering them to the school.
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“If you can allow it, we can collect the donations here and then take them to the school. We want you to pray for the donations before we take them there,” he said.
Bishop Wainaina’s decision came amid growing scrutiny over the role of the church in Kenya’s political landscape, especially regarding donations from politicians.
The Catholic Church has in recent months taken a bold stance on political gifts, distancing itself from perceived political influence through monetary contributions.
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Archdiocese of Nairobi, under Bishop Philip Anyolo, rejected a Kh5.8 million donation from President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a church service at Soweto Catholic Church.
It included Ksh600,000 for choir members and Ksh2 million for building a priest’s house, followed a directive by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) that barred politicians from using the pulpit to advance political agendas through gifts and pledges.
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