A dramatic moment unfolded on Sunday at the Jesus Teaching Ministry in Embakasi when renowned Nairobi pastor, Peter Manyuru, rejected a Sh100,000 donation from Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, insisting that his church will no longer accept money from politicians.
The incident, which occurred during a service attended by key opposition figures, was met with thunderous applause from congregants as Pastor Manyuru stood his ground.
“I know some of you are here for the first time since we announced that we would not take money from MPs. We don’t want it said that we are being bribed. Instead, we are ready to join you in your fundraisers outside the church,” Manyuru declared.
The move has sparked a national conversation about the intersection of religion and politics in Kenya, with Manyuru earning praise from some quarters for setting what many see as a new ethical standard for churches. Critics argue, however, that churches risk alienating influential donors who often fund community projects through religious platforms.
Present during the service were several politicians allied to the Kenya Moja Alliance, a budding political coalition seeking to unseat President William Ruto in 2027. Among the leaders were Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who used the pulpit to call for opposition unity.
The coalition’s leaders revealed plans to rally around figures such as Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, George Natembeya, and Fred Matiang’i in what they described as a formidable alliance to defeat Ruto in the next election.
Pastor Manyuru’s stand could mark a turning point for Kenya’s religious institutions, long accused of being conduits for political influence. Social media reactions were swift, with thousands applauding his resolve and urging other churches to “follow the example and reclaim the pulpit.”
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