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Kindiki: We will respect the Church over donations
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addressing congregants at Riiji Catholic Church in Meru on July 11, 2025.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has asked politicians to respect individual church positions on donations to avert conflict.
The DP said politicians have a chance to play politics elsewhere, hence there was no need to engage in a tussle with church leaders.
He, however, said no amount of protests will stop him and President William Ruto from giving donations to churches that are ready to receive them.
Speaking at Riiji Catholic Church in Meru, where he presented donations towards the construction of a priest’s house, Prof Kindiki said they will gladly keep off churches which have banned politicians.
However, the DP was not allowed to announce his donation and that of the President, but committed to give all the money needed to complete the church house project.
“We are politicians, but we are Christians first. We must contribute to the building of the church. When we come to church, we obey the authority of the religious leaders,” he said.
DP Kindiki added, “There has been intense debate about politicians giving money to churches. We do not want to appear to be in competition with church leaders on this matter. We will participate where we are requested and respect the directives about giving quietly.”
He said the tussle over contributions by politicians was being used to cause friction between the government and the church.
“The church and government are neither in conflict nor in competition. We will keep away from the churches that do not want us to attend their services because we don't want to cause confusion,” the DP said.
Prof Kindiki said the church was the government’s partner in social development, hence the reason the president was ready to support when called upon.
“The church has founded many schools, hospitals and water projects across the country. When we give, we are doing it to support Kenyans,” he said.
President William Ruto has in the past been criticised for generous donations to churches, with a recent contribution leading to protests.
Meanwhile, the Deputy President maintained that the government was committed to completing all projects pledged in the county.
“As deputy president, I will ensure all pending projects are completed and the promises made are implemented. We intend to start the construction of the Nithi Bridge by the end of the year,” he said.
He urged residents to ignore political bickering and support the government in its agenda, adding that the time for politics will come.
The DP expressed confidence that President Ruto would comfortably win his second term and scoffed at the opposition as people who could not present a formidable contest to Dr Ruto.
“Don’t worry about the 2027 elections. We’re ready. When that day comes, we will square it out with the opposition. Some of those who say they will be our competitors were in top positions in government, but they did nothing,” Prof Kindiki said.
He added: “We will want them to account for their time in office and what they did for Kenyans. They should be ready to tell the people of Meru and Kenyans in general what projects they initiated which are not there. Their work is just inciting citizens with empty talk.”