Bishop Maria Wainaina of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a
Bishop Maria Wainaina of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a./SCREENGRAB
Bishop Maria Wainaina of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a
has declined gifts offered by members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly
Wainaina instead urged that the donations be redirected to a more deserving cause — a school for the deaf in Kerugoya.
The bishop, while appreciating the gesture by the ward representatives, emphasised that as spiritual and public leaders, their actions should prioritise the welfare of the needy.
“I thank you very much, but let us give the donations to more deserving people,” said Bishop Wainaina.
“There are students at the School for the Deaf in Kerugoya. Take it to them.”
The bishop’s call was met with agreement from the county representatives.
One MCA requested the bishop to bless the items before they are delivered to the school.
“If you can allow it, we can collect the donations here and then take them to the school. We want you to pray for the donations before we take them there,” he said.
Bishop Wainaina’s decision comes amid growing scrutiny over the role of the church in Kenya’s political landscape, especially regarding donations from politicians.
The Catholic Church has in recent months taken a firmer stance on political gifts, distancing itself from perceived political influence through monetary contributions.
This policy was underscored last year when the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, under Bishop Philip Anyolo, rejected a Sh5.8 million donation from President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a church service at Soweto Catholic Church.
That rejection, which included Ksh600,000 for choir members and Sh2 million for building a priest's house, followed a directive by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) that barred politicians from using the pulpit to advance political agendas through gifts and pledges.
Bishop Wainaina’s gesture in Kirinyaga echoed that same commitment — steering church interactions away from political symbolism and toward direct community impact.
