The senator emphasised that churches and religious institutions operate through contributions from donors and therefore justifying the necessity for donations.
His remarks come barely a week after President William Ruto’s Sh20 million donation to Jesus Winners Ministry church on March 1 ignited heated debate
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei. /FILE
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has come out in defence of leaders who have been making donations to churches saying religious organisations depend on goodwill to operate.
The senator emphasised that churches and religious institutions operate through contributions from donors and therefore justifying the necessity for donations.
He said unless Kenyans offer alternatives, the donations will continue.
“The religious organizations depend on donations to build and run them unless Kenyans approve budgeting of the same,” Cherargei said on his social media handle on Sunday.
His remarks come barely a week after President William Ruto’s Sh20 million donation to Jesus Winners Ministry church on March 1 ignited heated debate leading to planned protests under the #OccupyJesusWinner hashtag on Sunday.
A section of the protesters were arrested on Sunday as they attempted to disrupt activities at the church.
The Nandi senator condemned the protests and pointed out that majority of Kenyans are Christians and churches depended on their donations to function.
The planned protests prompted the deployment of the police which resulted to the arrests of dozens in Roysambu, Nairobi close to where the Jesus Winners Ministry church is located after running battles ensued between the police and rowdy youths.
Bishop Edward Mwai who is the founder of the Jesus Winners Ministry said that he had forgiven the youth who insulted him for accepting the Sh20 million donation from President William Ruto.
“All those who have insulted me and called me names, I have forgiven each and every one of them. I have also asked God to forgive them,” he said.
President Ruto who has been at the receiving end of criticism for donating huge sums of money to churches, on Sunday defended the contributions to churches and vowed to continue with the spirit.
He donated another Sh20 million to AIC Fellowship Annex Church in Eldoret and vowed to continue supporting construction of churches despite the heavy criticism.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei. /FILE
