Renowned pastor Ezekiel Odero, founder of New Life Prayer Centre and Church, has defended President William Ruto’s Ksh20 million donation to Jesus Winners Ministry Church., arguing that there is no reason for Kenyans to criticise or question it.
Speaking during a church service on Thursday evening, March 6, 2025, Pastor Ezekiel questioned why people would doubt the financial capability of the head of state, who had used helicopters during his election campaign to traverse the country.
“Raisi Ruto ametoa sadaki millioni ishirini (Ksh20 million),mimi nikuulize swali, Raisi Ruto hana ndege? Helicopter si alikuwa anacompaign nayo? Huyo mtu atakuwa raisi na hana pesa? Si ako nazo? Ni milioni kumi,ni milioni hamusini, ni millioni mia moja? Si ako na pesa?” Ezekiel questioned.
While defending Ruto’s large donations as offerings, Ezekiel stated that Ruto does not rely solely on his presidential salary, as he is a businessman with multiple sources of income, making it normal for him to give such offerings.
He further stated that there is nothing wrong with Ruto donating money to churches since it is his hard-earned money.
“Wewe unataka kuniambia raisi Ruto hana pesa?huyu mtu hafanyi biashara? Wewe unataka kuniambia hiyo millioni mbli munamlipa kama ndio pesa anategemea?Akitoa pesa zake aende atoe sadaka amekukosea? Sasa akitoa millioni ishirini ni news?“he stated.
Ezekiel also reminded Kenyans that despite having faced challenges from the current government himself, he can still recognize when criticism is misplaced.
“Tuwache hii mambo ya kukashifu kila kitu, akitoa millioni mbili rudisha akitoa millioni tano rudisha akitoa elfu hamusini mtasema hiyo ni pesa gani ametoa raisi mzima akitoa millioni ishirini hatutaki, kama mnachukia mtu mchukie mtu lakini msichukie presidency,” he added.
“Mimi niliwai fungwa na hii serikali lakini mahali mnakosea nitawaambia.”
Ruto defender
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku responded to the raised concerns about the amount of the donation Ruto made towards the construction of Jesus Winners Ministry Church.
Speaking during an interview, Ruku highlighted that Ruto has many close associates and that his philanthropic endeavours have always been supported by a network of influential friends, both locally and internationally.
According to MP Ruku, the President’s contribution should not be viewed with suspicion or controversy, as it is grounded in a personal commitment to faith.
“Tithe is a commandment from God, and as Christians, we do it to support the gospel, that is what the President has been doing and all of us who are Christians do,” Ruku said.
“About the Ksh 100 million donation, President Ruto has made many friends, who can contribute a million Kenyan shillings to build a church, he has more than 200 friends who can give him Ksh 500 thousand each, and he has built a network of friends both locally and internationally over the years, so it is possible for him to raise Ksh100 million to build the church.”
