It has now emerged that Pastor Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry made the Sh20 million request to President William Ruto. 

In a statement on Thursday, March 6, church leaders said the president expressed willingness to support their expansion efforts after Mwai made the appeal.

“Regarding President William Ruto’s donation to the church, we wish to clarify that the whole country that the President, pledge a support of Sh20 million upon request from our general overseer, Edward Mwai, Mega Church,” they said. 

The clarification comes amid public scrutiny following reports that the president had already handed over the funds.

In a new development, a group of concerned individuals has filed a formal complaint, demanding that Pastor Mwai surrender the pledged amount to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), claiming it constitutes proceeds of crime.

Church officials, however, insisted that Jesus Winner Ministry maintains transparent financial records supported by member contributions over the years.

They also defended their expansion plans, saying the church, which started in Zimmerman, Roysambu, in 2000, has grown significantly, necessitating a larger sanctuary.

“By God’s grace, the Church can no longer accommodate the current members, and our strategy or plan is to build a bigger sanctuary in the piece of land we bought from Uchumi Supermarket,” they said.

The church’s land ownership has also been a point of contention, with disputes over the three-acre parcel.

Addressing the matter, church leaders said, “The Parliamentary Committee resolved that the three acres belong to the church.”