President William Ruto's recent visit to AIC Bomani Church in Machakos County has become a focal point of intense public scrutiny. During the installation ceremony of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo on Sunday, July 20th, 2025, the Head of State presented a grand gesture: keys to a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a luxury SUV reportedly valued at over KSh 9 million. While the immediate reaction within the church was one of resounding applause, outside its walls, the gleaming vehicle served as a stark, even painful, contrast to the persistent struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans.
The paradox of opulence against widespread poverty was not lost on the local community. In Machakos, where drought bites deep, rampant youth unemployment stifles aspirations, and severely underfunded schools struggle to educate the next generation, the sight of such a high-end gift sparked quiet but profound reflection. "It's a beautiful car, no doubt," acknowledged Grace Mueni, a church elder, speaking to the visible awe the vehicle inspired. Yet, her subsequent words laid bare the uncomfortable truth: "But some of our members walk for over an hour to get to service. Even our youth ministry can’t afford Bibles. So yes, we clapped—but not all of us were celebrating." This sentiment echoed the critical perspective of Peter Mutuku, a local youth leader, who asserted that "maybe a school bus or a community project would have had wider impact. The Prado is impressive, but it serves one man."
Mr. Ruto himself acknowledged the Africa Inland Church (AIC)'s humble beginnings, often tracing their roots to worship under trees and tin-roofed sanctuaries. He further pledged a substantial KSh 20 million towards a new church building, promising to personally contribute 10 percent of the ambitious KSh 200 million construction budget, affirming his belief in "supporting the work of God." However, such pledges and lavish gifts raise pertinent questions about resource allocation and perceived priorities, especially for a nation grappling with a challenging economic climate where every shilling counts for its citizens.
The President's gesture was also immediately scrutinized through a political lens. Machakos County is a known stronghold of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a prominent political rival. Gifting a luxurious vehicle to a prominent bishop in this strategically significant region inevitably raised eyebrows, with many observers interpreting it as a calculated strategic move to win religious and grassroots influence in a traditionally opposition-aligned area. While some, like deaconess Agnes Kavindu, staunchly defended the act as enabling the Bishop to reach remote congregations, critics argue that the optics of such extravagance heavily outweigh the stated practicalities, particularly when juxtaposed against the daily struggles of citizens.
Crucially, this Machakos incident is not an isolated occurrence. In October 2023, President Ruto similarly gifted a Land Cruiser Prado to a Kitui-based AIC pastor, sparking comparable debates about the appropriateness of such lavish donations amidst persistent national economic challenges. This developing pattern of presidential largesse towards the clergy, particularly with luxury vehicles, inevitably invites criticism regarding prudent use of resources. When the national economy is not doing well, and citizens face mounting pressure from high living costs, such grand gestures, while framed as piety or generosity, risk alienating a populace yearning for tangible interventions that address their immediate needs rather than high-end material gifts to select individuals.
