By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER
In the aftermath of the deadly Tuesday anti-tax riots by Kenyan youth, the Christian Church, which was one of William Ruto’s strongest allies in the 2022 elections, appears to have turned against him due to pressure.
Taking a cautious approach after sustained online criticism, the Lavington United Church, where Rachael Ruto, the President’s wife, was to preside at a fundraiser, recalled its invitation and cancelled the fundraiser due to pressure from the youth amid threats of an occupation.
Other churches quickly followed suit and either cancelled their scheduled events or sent word to the invite politicians not to attend. Some of the churches that had cancelled their events by Friday night were Gospel Embassy Chapel in Kisii, which had also invited Mrs. Ruto; St. Francis of Assisi Catholic in Kapchekoima, which had invited CS Kipchumba Murkomen; and ACK Diocese of Nyahururu.
Mrs. Ruto had been invited by the church’s pastor, Rev. Simon Mutahi, who sent a card that read; “The pastoral team and church leadership cordially invite you to a fundraising event to complete our sanctuary on June 30, 2024, from 10am at Lavington United Church. The chief guest will be Her excellency Mrs. Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. Your presence and generous contribution will be hughly appreciated .”
When this invitation leaked online, Rev. Mutahi received several calls and messages warning him against hosting Mrs. Ruto at the church. The campaign to stop the invitation and attendance was started by one Mwabili Mwagodi, who said they would be attending the fundraiser.
Responding to the pressure, Rev. Muatahi later cancelled the event altogether.
The enraged youth are protesting the conspicuous consumption of politicians and their families, and using churches to launder ill-gotten wealth.
Ruto and his wife have used the church as a campaign and disinformation platform, with Mrs. Ruto often coming up with assertions considered either demeaning or ridiculous, like her prayers bringing rain to Kenya and abundant harvests.
Earlier, President Ruto had pulled out of the Global Peace Leadership Conference which was being hosted in Nairobi from 25th Tuesday.