An open letter penned by a patriotic Kenyan, Sam Terriz, has sparked a debate about the Catholic Church’s recent decision to reject donations from President William Ruto.
Addressing his concerns to the clergy, Terriz highlighted what he termed as inconsistencies in the Church’s stance, calling for accountability and transparency.
Terriz’s letter came in response to remarks by Archbishop Philip Anyolo, who publicly stated that the Church would no longer accept contributions from President Ruto.
The writer pointed out that these donations, including financial support and a bus, were made at the Church’s request.
He questioned why similar contributions from former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga had not faced similar rejection.
“If the Church now chooses to reject such donations, it must also refund previous contributions received under the same circumstances,” Terriz argued.
He warned that selective condemnation could erode the Church’s moral authority and credibility.
The letter also criticized faith-based institutions, particularly hospitals, for failing to align with their mission of providing affordable and accessible healthcare.
Facilities such as St. Mary’s Hospital in Lang’ata were singled out for allegedly overcharging patients and prioritizing cash payments.
Terriz further claimed that some of these institutions had colluded with individuals within the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to evade their obligations, thereby undermining public trust.
https://twitter.com/Terriz_Sam/status/1858837363985678389
Terriz applauded the government’s reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which he described as sealing loopholes in the healthcare system.
He speculated that resistance from some bishops might be linked to these reforms, which have disrupted entrenched interests within certain Church-run institutions.
While acknowledging the validity of the Church’s criticism of corruption, Terriz urged it to lead by example by addressing instances of malpractice within its own ranks.
He also emphasized the need for bishops to respect President Ruto’s democratic mandate, regardless of personal differences.
“The President was elected by the people, and this deserves respect from all sectors, including the Church,” he wrote.
Terriz concluded by calling on the clergy to uphold the Church’s mission of uplifting the community.
He challenged bishops to align their institutions with government initiatives such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), SHA, and SHIF, which aim to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
“True leadership involves stepping up to make a tangible difference. Let us ensure that service, transparency, and integrity remain at the forefront of both governance and faith-based endeavors,” the letter stated.
The open letter has sparked a nationwide discussion on the role of the Church in governance and its responsibility to lead by example in addressing societal challenges.
