Bishop Maria Wainaina of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a has turned down gifts from members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly, instead asking that the donations be directed to the School for the Deaf in Kerugoya. While thanking the MCAs for their kind gesture, the bishop urged leaders to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable.
“There are students at the School for the Deaf in Kerugoya. Take it to them,” Bishop Wainaina said.
The ward representatives welcomed the suggestion, with one MCA requesting the bishop to bless the items before their delivery to the school.
Bishop Wainaina’s move aligns with the Catholic Church’s growing resistance to political donations, which are increasingly seen as attempts to exert influence. Last year, the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi declined a Sh5.8 million donation from President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja, following a directive from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) to keep political gifts out of church affairs.
Her decision reflects the Church’s shift toward supporting community needs directly, rather than accepting offerings that may carry political undertones.
