Bishop Godfrey Migwi, who was a staunch supporter of Deputy President William Ruto and publicly defended the stealing of public funds, has died.

Bishop Migwi, who headed the House of Hope in Kayole, Nairobi, was pronounced dead on Wednesday and it is reported that he had long been suffering from blood pressure.

The controversial clergyman was a strong critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta, his government and ODM leader Raila Odinga and openly criticized them on their BBI push among other issues.

Bishop Godfrey Migwi. PHOTO/COURTESY

In a video that was widely circulated on social media, Migwi is heard defending the stealing of public funds and claiming that even the Bible supports it and backs it with a bible verse.

He once controversially announced that it was good for people to steal public funds then take it to his church as donations to be cleansed and even boasted that he had been a beneficiary.

Bishop Godfrey Migwi. PHOTO/COURTESY

In May this year, Bishop Migwi officially announced his intention to vie for the Mathioya Constituency parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Election and had even erected billboards.

DP Ruto has mourned the bishop as a “mentor and a friend” in a post shared on Thursday.

“Bishop Godfrey Migwi was a bold, vocal and powerful spiritual leader with great sense of humour. He was a mentor and a friend with firm pastoral faith that he infused to many of us. We will miss his topical and nourishing sermons,” he posted.

Bishop Godfrey Migwi. PHOTO/COURTESY

The controversial cleric was known for blasting Uhuru, Raila and even making derogative pronouncements against a particular community in his criticism of the ODM party leader.  

In January, while hosting DP Ruto in his church, he criticised the President after Uhuru said it was time for other ethnic communities outside the Kikuyu and Kalenjin to lead Kenya.