Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has apologised to Catholic Bishops, saying if the government has wronged them by giving to the church, then they seek forgiveness.
He said he took the initiative after the bishops rejected Sh5.6 million given to them by President William Ruto on November 17.
“Nataka niwaombe msamaha kwa sababu labda sisi tunawakosea saa ingine tunaenda kanisa pale chini kumbe labda mlikuwa mnataka mpitiwe ndio tufike pale,” he said.
This is loosely translated to, “I want to apologise to you because maybe we are wronging you when we go to the church at the lower level, but maybe you want us to go through you."
The MP however wondered why the top Catholic Bishops were against the government giving to the church when most of their juniors and congregants clearly needed the money.
Sudi said it is the congregants who have been calling leaders for harambees.
He claimed that by rejecting the money, the bishops were against development of churches, necessitated by the funds.
Reiterating his apologies, Sudi maintained that they will still offer their tithes to help with church needs, and will still attend services on Sundays.
“I will again apologise to the bishops if we wronged you by going to the church at the grassroots without you,” he said.
He asked the church to help guide the country in the right direction instead of bringing about divisions.
The lawmaker further urged the church leaders to remember to mention the good that the government has done, even as they criticise it.
He said since all are human, they should accept that they err.
His remarks come days after the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) rejected a Sh5.6 million donation made by Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during their visit to Soweto Catholic Church on Sunday, November 17.
Ruto had donated Sh2 million for the construction of the Father’s House and Sh600,000 to the choir along with a promise of an additional Sh3 million and a parish bus.
Governor Johnson Sakaja, on his part, contributed Sh200,000.
In a statement on Monday, Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Anyolo said funds already received would be returned.
Anyolo, said the cash would be returned over "ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes".
"The Catholic Church strongly discourages the use of church events such as fundraisers and gatherings as platforms for political self-promotion," Archbishop Anyolo said.
"These funds will be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Sh3 million for the construction of the Fathers' house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the President, are hereby declined."
The donation followed a recent statement by Catholic Bishops, who had hit out at the government for failing to fulfil their electoral promises.
