Jesus Winner Ministry head, Bishop Edward Mwai, has publicly declared that he has forgiven Kenyans who criticised him after he accepted a Sh20 million donation from President William Ruto.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, March 9, at the Roysambu-based church, Mwai said he harboured no ill feelings towards those who insulted him online. He stated that he understood the backlash but maintained that many of those attacking him were being misled.
"Nataka kusema hivi, wale wote wamenitukana, na ile majina wameniita, mimi nimewasamehe... Yeyote ameniambia jina mbaya, nimesema ile mawe wamenitupia yote nikiwa kwa hii madhabau ya Jesus Winner, Mungu awasamehe, na mimi nimewasamehe," he told the congregation.
Preaching politics and not the gospel. Churchpreneur Edward Mwai of Jesus Winner Ministry church claims that bloggers were sent (by Gachagua) and promises a curse on those behind #OccupyJesusWinner campaign pic.twitter.com/DjbaxITlmJ - Stephen Mutoro (@smutoro) March 9, 2025
Mwai claimed that the protests against him were not spontaneous but were driven by political forces. He alleged that some of the young people who vowed to occupy his church had been influenced by individuals with hidden agendas.
How things are going at Pastor Mwai, Jesus Winner Ministry church in Roysambu. pic.twitter.com/H5E3Bmdvxv - KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) March 9, 2025
"Mimi najua ni kina nani walikua wanawatumia, na ata leo asubuhi kuna wengine walikua wametumwa... lakini mimi nimewasamehe. Ata nimesema waachiliwe. Lakini watu wakuja kujua kuna Mungu kwa hii madhabau," he said, receiving applause from his followers.
He added: "Lakini watoto wetu ambao wamatumiwa vibaya, Mungu awasamehe. Ata wale wako pale si vijana wetu, ni mikora, ata wengine walikua na badge ya Jesus Winner, mimi sitaka ata mtu mmoja aguzwe na mtu please, kwa sababu sis ni wenye Amani, tunapenda Mungu"
Kenyan youths in Jesus Winner Ministry, Roysambu are being beaten like burukenge by the police. Why beat people who have come to worship with you? pic.twitter.com/9PmZ3yGEnm - Alinur Mohamed (@AlinurMohamed_) March 9, 2025
Security beefed up after threats to occupy Jesus Winner
The controversy surrounding Mwai began after President Ruto visited Jesus Winner Ministry on March 2 and donated Sh20 million.
The donation sparked outrage, with many Kenyans questioning its legitimacy, especially amid the country's economic hardships. A section of online users vowed to storm the church in protest.
On Sunday, a heavy security presence was witnessed around the church. Officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) were deployed to guard the premises, with some stationed at the gates while others patrolled the surroundings.
We came just to worship not to harm or protest na already washajaza polisi pale Jesus Winner Ministry pic.twitter.com/BcDHjO1r2N - Billy Mwangi (@MwangiHub) March 9, 2025
Videos shared online showed officers carrying firearms and batons as congregants arrived for the service.
The increased security followed threats from activists who opposed Mwai's acceptance of the donation. Some even demanded that he return the money, arguing that accepting funds from an undisclosed source could have legal consequences.
Jesus Winner Ministry under full guard.... wueh! pic.twitter.com/BQ3DKj1VTS - Felicity? (@FelicityGitonga) March 9, 2025
Mwai defends himself against land grabbing claims
Apart from the donation controversy, Mwai also addressed allegations concerning a 20-acre parcel of land owned by his church. He dismissed claims that the land had been acquired illegally, terming them false accusations.
"Please, take a step back and reflect. Sometimes, you people overreact. Even those who accused me of stealing land-I have forgiven them. I was being misrepresented online, with claims circulating that I had received an official letter about it. One day, they will come to realise that God is real," he said.
Since accepting the donation, Mwai revealed that he has been receiving abusive phone calls and text messages. According to him, he has received over 5,000 hateful messages, which has forced him to change his phone lines.
"I have received more than 5,000 abusive messages and cannot make calls," he told Daily Nation, adding that the situation has left him in fear.
Activists demand Mwai return Ruto's donation
A group of four activists, Kennedy Kariithi Gachenge, Lempaa Soyinka, Fanya Mambo, and Peter Kuira, have written to Mwai demanding that he return the Sh20 million. They argue that the donation lacks transparency and could be proceeds of crime.
In a letter from Ndegwa and Ndegwa Associates, the activists warned that accepting suspicious funds could make the church complicit in corruption. They cited the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), which imposes heavy penalties on those found guilty of handling unexplained wealth.
"By accepting the suspected amount, you are aiding and abetting the commission of a corruption offence," the letter read in part.
They further urged Mwai to surrender the money to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and threatened to take legal action if he failed to do so.
Despite the backlash, Mwai insisted that he had done nothing wrong. He maintained that his focus remained on serving God and his congregation, urging his critics to let the matter rest.
