EACC welcomes Catholic Bishops move to ban cash donations

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has welcomed the move by the Catholic Church of Kenya to ban cash donations in support of the fight against corruption.

In a statement issued on Sunday, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak pointed out that corrupt individuals have been channeling ill-gotten wealth to religious organizations.

“The decision by the Catholic Church to rally its faithful to strongly support the fight against corruption and ban all donations without proper source is welcomed. It is public knowledge that corruption has reached disturbing levels in the country and culpable individuals are known to channel their ill-gotten wealth to religious organizations, mainly the church,” said Mbarak.

He called on other religious organizations to step up and ensure proper accountability and transparency in handling of all financial donations to the Church.

“The Commission calls on all other religious organizations to emulate the example set by the Catholic Church in Kenya and join hands in the fight against corruption for the good of our nation. In the same spirit, the Commission calls upon every Kenyan to support the fight against corruption,” said the EACC CEO.

On Saturday, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops outlined measures to be taken in a six-month national campaign by the Catholic faithful in Kenya in support of the fight against corruption.

Speaking at the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County, the leaders insisted that church donations to any catholic church will now be made through the issuance of cheques or mobile money.

The archbishops drawn from over 20 dioceses in the country further resolved that any gift given to the Catholic Church or its leaders exceeding Ksh.50,000 should be declared and officially acknowledged.

The Catholic church leaders also spoke tough against leaders using the pulpit as a political platform, declaring that political statement will not be allowed in the church.

“Political statements will not be allowed during the liturgical celebrations. The church has stopped accepting direct donations from the politicians. Contributions to fundraise for Catholic Church projects will be done via mobile money transfer or by cheques,” said the bishops in a statement.