Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has maintained that Anglican bishops are at liberty to make individual decisions.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, December 3, in reference to an incident where the Crispinus Anglican Church in Bungoma received Ksh5 million donation from President William Ruto, Ole Sapit, however, noted that the Anglican Church has guidelines on handling donations.
The ACK archbishop termed the incident in Bungoma as unfortunate, adding that donations can be made to the church without the amount.
“What happened in Bungoma was unfortunate because it was like a display of trying to see what will the Anglican Church do following the decision made by the Catholics. All I can say is that bishops of archdioceses with a high level of autonomy and individual decisions by bishops we leave to them to make their decisions.
"But our guidelines are that anyone who brings any donation to the church should not be allowed to be a kind of a promotion of self by announcing it. People can come and give their tithes without mentioning it. We have no problem with that,” Ole Sapit remarked.
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He further emphasized that the Anglican Church firmly maintains that the pulpit is meant for spreading the gospel and not for political discourse.
"I am on record that we don't allow politicians to speak from the podium of the church. But as archbishop, I cannot be policing every local church what happens," Ole Sapit explained.
Meanwhile, while handing over the donation by President Ruto to Bungoma ACK Bishop George Mechumo, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka said he was hoping the money would not be returned.
“I have been sent by the president with Ksh5 million. I hope it won't be returned. If you return, give it to me," Lusaka remarked.
