Ruto Donates Another Ksh20 Million, Claps Back At 'Occupy Jesus Winner' Protesters

This is as he fired back at the organisers of the Occupy Jesus Winner Ministries protests, shortly after police dispersed the crowd with tear gas and arrested over 30 youths participating in the demonstration.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Mar 9, 2025 - 14:11
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Ruto Donates Another Ksh20 Million, Claps Back At 'Occupy Jesus Winner' Protesters
President William Ruto speaking at the burial of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo on March 1, 2025. /PCS

President William Ruto has donated another Ksh20 million to AIC Annex Church in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, in support of projects amidst controversy and protests at the Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi.

This is as he fired back at the organisers of the Occupy Jesus Winner Ministries protests, shortly after police dispersed the crowd with tear gas and arrested over 30 youths participating in the demonstration.

Speaking on Sunday, March 9, at the service, the President cautioned those against church donations in Kenya, asserting that they had no place in the country, stating, "Those who are against the word of God and the building of sanctuaries in Kenya will fail. They will not succeed, they will not overcome us."

President William Ruto (blue blazer) with other leaders arriving at the AIC Annex Eldoret Church in Uasin Gishu on March 9, 2025. /PCS

Ruto affirmed that, as the head of state, he would persist in contributing to churches despite increasing public criticism.

"I want to say that in this nation called Kenya, God will be known. For the avoidance of doubt, because of the pushback from those who do not believe in God, who do not believe we should be building churches, and who do not believe we should be supporting the work of God in Kenya—I want to declare, as the leader of this nation, that God will be known and this nation will be strong.

"As a country, we shall stand firm in our faith. We will continue to build places of worship and support the work of God because that is our foundation, and no amount of opposition will change that," he added.

The President's remarks came just hours after 38 youths were arrested and held at Kasarani Police Station by General Service Unit (GSU) officers.

During the Sunday service, Bishop Edward Mwai stated that some of the youths were detained after bringing their phones to the church, intending to use them for mobilizing more support for the planned occupation.

However, Mwai revealed that he had requested the police to release the arrested individuals as an act of forgiveness.

"I know that there were people who were using them, and as we speak, some have been arrested and are being held here. But I have forgiven them and said they should be freed. People will come to know that there is God at this altar," Mwai stated.

Additionally, police were compelled to fire tear gas at the Roysambu roundabout in Nairobi after hundreds of youths, who had vowed to march to the church, launched protests.

The demonstrators clashed with the police, leading to running battles that caused disruptions to traffic along a section of the busy Thika Road.

These events were triggered by a social media campaign under the hashtag #OccupyJesusWinner on the X platform, where youth protested President Ruto’s Ksh20 million donation toward the church’s construction. The President also committed to contributing an additional Ksh100 million in the future.

The demonstrators have raised concerns about the source of Ruto’s donation and accused Jesus Winner Ministries of deceiving Kenyans in the lead-up to the 2027 General Election.

Screengrabs of anti-riot police battling protesters at Roysambu, Nairobi on March 9, 2025.

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