Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has taken a surprising stance, aligning himself with the Catholic Church amidst growing criticism from allies of President William Ruto following the rejection of a cash donation by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.
The incident occurred during a Sunday service at Soweto Catholic Church, where the Archdiocese declined contributions made by President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
This was after the Church rejected Ruto’s Sh600,000 donation to the church choir and Sakaja’s Sh200,000. Ruto also gave Sh2 million for the construction of the parish priest’s house and pledged another Sh3 million for the same, all of which was rejected
This had since sparked sharp reactions from some of Ruto’s allies, who have accused the church of being partisan.
However, Kuria, a senior advisor in President Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), deviated from the expected narrative of defending the administration and instead expressed unwavering support for the Catholic Church.
In a social media statement, Kuria emphasized his deep-rooted Catholic faith and loyalty to the church’s teachings.
“My two rules as a Roman Catholic who has gone through the catechism process from baptism, holy Eucharist, altar boy to confirmation by the late Michael Cardinal Odunga of Kibabii: Rule number 1, the Catholic Church is always right, rule number 2, in case the Catholic Church is wrong, always refer to rule number 1,” Kuria declared.
The remarks have drawn attention online, with some wondering why Ruto’s advisor was going against his boss and supporting the church. President Ruto’s allies have been vocal in their criticism of the church, accusing its leaders of politicizing spiritual matters.
The Catholic Church’s rejection of the donation has sparked debates about the role of the clergy in governance and their perceived impartiality in political matters.
The church defended its actions, insisting that it was safeguarding its independence and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.
Kuria’s unexpected comments underscore a notable divergence within President Ruto’s camp, as some leaders call for a softer approach to dealing with the church, a historically influential institution in Kenya’s socio-political landscape.
