Drama unfolded during the funeral of Reverend Silvanus Mwakoma in Kirutai, Taita Taveta County, after ACK Taita Taveta Diocese Bishop Liverson Mng’onda rejected a Ksh 600,000 donation announced during the ceremony.
Taveta MP John Bwire announced that Ksh 500,000 had been donated by President William Ruto, while he had contributed an additional Ksh 100,000 to support the education of the late reverend’s children.
Bwire said he approached President Ruto after learning that Mwakoma had left behind school-going children who needed support.
While announcing the donation, the MP also referenced Mwakoma’s recent social media post in which he expressed support for the Ruto administration and highlighted government achievements, including the employment of 116,000 teachers and reduced fertilizer prices.
However, Bishop Mng’onda rejected the donation and directly urged the widow not to accept the money.
The bishop described the funds as “tainted” and argued that they should not be used to educate the children, emphasizing the importance of relying on honestly earned money.
Mng’onda also criticized the public manner in which the donation was made, accusing those involved of politicizing what was supposed to be a gesture of support to a bereaved family.
He particularly objected to what he described as expectations that mourners should endorse government programmes, including affordable housing and stadium projects, in exchange for assistance.
According to the bishop, such support should be offered discreetly and respectfully rather than being announced publicly at a funeral.
He suggested that the money could have been quietly transferred into an education fund for the children without turning the donation into a political affair.
“Aid should not be accompanied by insults and arrogance; it should be delivered with gentleness and humility,” Mng’onda stated.
The bishop further advised those receiving assistance to walk away if they felt they were not being treated with respect.
