A heavy contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) officers has been deployed outside Jesus Winner Ministry in Roysambu, Nairobi, as tensions escalate over a planned protest by Kenyan youth.
The demonstrators, rallying under the hashtag #OccupyJesusWinner, are demanding that Pastor Edward Mwai return donations pledged by President William Ruto, which they claim are tainted by corruption.
The deployment follows reports of a significant police presence around the church early Sunday morning, hours before the scheduled demonstration.
Gen Z’s have accused Pastor Mwai of accepting questionable funds, including a Ksh. 20 million personal donations and a promised Ksh. 100 million fundraiser announced by Ruto during a church service on March 2.
They argue that the money should be surrendered to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for investigation.
The controversy erupted after Ruto, speaking at the Roysambu-based ministry, also confirmed the transfer of a contested 20-acre parcel of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) land to the church for a mega sanctuary project.
Critics, including activists and online commentators, have labelled the donations as “proceeds of crime,” pointing to the president’s official salary of Ksh.1.4 million monthly and questioning the source of such large contributions.
Pastor Mwai has denied receiving the full amount, stating, “President Ruto never left any money behind. It’s a pledge like any other, one you must follow up to be fulfilled.”
However, this has done little to quell public outrage, with youth vowing to occupy the church to press their demands.
Social media posts indicate a growing movement, with some accusing the pastor of abandoning spiritual integrity for “earthly security” as GSU officers now guard the church premises.
Authorities have yet to comment on the deployment or the planned protest, but the heavy security presence suggests efforts to prevent unrest.
