Church cancels fundraiser with First Lady Rachel Ruto
In the spirit of ‘Salimieni huyo’, Kenya's Generation Z has cornered Lavington United Church, compelling its leadership to cancel a fundraiser event scheduled for this Sunday. Kenyan First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto was slated to grace the event, which aimed to raise funds for completion of a sanctuary. This was after the invitation card for the fundraiser circulated online, enraging Kenyans who were still grappling with the recent deaths of protestors shot by police officers. An invitation card signed by Reverend Simon Mutahi, seen by Nation, read, “The pastoral team and church leadership cordially invite you to a fundraising event to complete our sanctuary on June 30, 2024, from 10 am at Lavington United Church. The Chief Guest will be Her Excellency Mrs. Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. Your presence and generous contribution will be highly appreciated.” This invitation card was criticized by angry Kenyans who warned the Reverend to stop involving politicians who did not stand with the people during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 riots. Reverend Mutahi's contacts were shared online, and numerous people sent him messages and calls, warning him against hosting the First Lady at the event. A text message sent by a youth identified as Mwabili Mwogodi to reverent Mutahi reads, “Good evening Reverend Mutahi. My name is Mwabili Mwogodi. I am the person who started the campaign to get rid of politicians from the church pulpit in Kenya,” “I see here you have invited Mrs. Rachel Ruto to your church for a fundraiser. First of all, the money is definitely looted from the taxes I pay to this government of looters. This message is to notify you that we are coming for the fundraiser. God bless you.” This message prompted Reverend Mutahi to cancel the planned fundraiser. In a notice seen by Nation, Reverend Mutahi stated, “The leadership and pastoral team of Lavington United Church wishes to inform members that the fundraiser event scheduled for June 30, 2024, has been cancelled.” This development comes just days after some youth stormed parliament buildings during anti-tax protests.
In the spirit of ‘Salimieni huyo’, Kenya's Generation Z has cornered Lavington United Church, compelling its leadership to cancel a fundraiser event scheduled for this Sunday.
Kenyan First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto was slated to grace the event, which aimed to raise funds for completion of a sanctuary.
This was after the invitation card for the fundraiser circulated online, enraging Kenyans who were still grappling with the recent deaths of protestors shot by police officers.
An invitation card signed by Reverend Simon Mutahi, seen by Nation, read, “The pastoral team and church leadership cordially invite you to a fundraising event to complete our sanctuary on June 30, 2024, from 10 am at Lavington United Church. The Chief Guest will be Her Excellency Mrs. Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. Your presence and generous contribution will be highly appreciated.”
This invitation card was criticized by angry Kenyans who warned the Reverend to stop involving politicians who did not stand with the people during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 riots.
Reverend Mutahi's contacts were shared online, and numerous people sent him messages and calls, warning him against hosting the First Lady at the event.
A text message sent by a youth identified as Mwabili Mwogodi to reverent Mutahi reads, “Good evening Reverend Mutahi. My name is Mwabili Mwogodi. I am the person who started the campaign to get rid of politicians from the church pulpit in Kenya,”
“I see here you have invited Mrs. Rachel Ruto to your church for a fundraiser. First of all, the money is definitely looted from the taxes I pay to this government of looters. This message is to notify you that we are coming for the fundraiser. God bless you.”
This message prompted Reverend Mutahi to cancel the planned fundraiser.
In a notice seen by Nation, Reverend Mutahi stated, “The leadership and pastoral team of Lavington United Church wishes to inform members that the fundraiser event scheduled for June 30, 2024, has been cancelled.”
This development comes just days after some youth stormed parliament buildings during anti-tax protests.
