Deputy government spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga has come to the defence of President William Ruto after facing numerous criticisms over his Ksh20 million donation towards the Jesus Winners Ministry’s church construction.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Mwanaisha clarified that the money donated was not from taxpayers’ funds but from Ruto’s personal wealth.
She further emphasized that if God has blessed the president to the point where he can afford such a generous donation, there should be no fault in that.
“The money that President William Ruto donated to the church was not taxpayers’ money, it came from his own pocket. If God has blessed him to the extent that he can donate Ksh20 million to the church, where is the mistake in that?” she said.
The deputy spokesperson, while defending Ruto, added that there is no reason for Kenyans to question his relationship with God.
“Who are we to question his relationship with God?” she added.
Ruto defenders
Apart from the former media personality, Ruto’s donation has received support from both political and religious leaders
Renowned pastor Ezekiel Odero, founder of New Life Prayer Centre and Church, speaking during a church service on Thursday evening, March 6, 2025, defended Ruto’s Ksh20 million donation, arguing that there is no reason for Kenyans to criticise or question it since it is his hard-earned money.
“Rais Ruto ametoa sadaka millioni ishirini (Ksh20 million). Mimi nikuulize swali, Rais Ruto hana ndege? Helicopter si alikuwa anacompaign nayo? Huyo mtu atakuwa rais na hana pesa? Si ako nazo? Ni milioni kumi, ni milioni hamsini, ni millioni mia moja? Si ako na pesa?” Ezekiel questioned.
“Wewe unataka kuniambia Rais Ruto hana pesa? Huyu mtu hafanyi biashara? Wewe unataka kuniambia hiyo millioni mbli mnamlipa kama ndio pesa anategemea?Akitoa pesa zake aende atoe sadaka amekukosea? Sasa akitoa millioni ishirini ni news?“
On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku responded to the concerns about the amount of the donation Ruto made towards the construction of Jesus Winners Ministry Church.
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 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 Ksh100 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 Ksh500,000 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.”
