Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto's recent invitation to televangelist Benny Hinn has ignited a nationwide debate over the use of taxpayer resources for a religious crusade.

This decision comes at a time when the nation grapples with the harsh economic realities, leaving Kenyans burdened by the high cost of living.

Hinn, who has been at the centre of the controversy, shared details of the First Lady's invitation during a recent public appearance.

"But something amazing happened. Just a lot of goodness maybe before weeks ago or so. The First Lady of Kenya flew from Nairobi with her team, just for one reason, to ask me to come back to Nairobi for a nationwide government-sponsored crusade. Now, we haven't had that in a long time where the First Lady of a nation comes and says we want to hold a crusade sponsored and supported by the government," stated Benny Hinn.

“The only time I think we've ever had that was in... Where was that Maureen? Indonesia or somewhere... Papua Papua. And then, at the same time, came with a Robert Gaencha from Uganda, and they want to do two crusades in each country.”

Read More

  1. American Institutes for Research opens its strategic East African office in Kenya
  2. Diplomatic disquiet as Uganda dithers to withdraw oil import case against Kenya
  3. Kenya to grant license to Ugandan oil company, ending months-long dispute

The announcement of this government-sponsored crusade took many by surprise, as it marks a rare occurrence in the nation's history and leaves Kenyans to question the wisdom of such an allocation.

While the First Lady's invitation to Benny Hinn has left many Kenyans intrigued, it has also sparked considerable criticism. 

The decision to allocate taxpayer resources for a religious event has raised eyebrows, especially as the country faces numerous pressing issues, including unemployment, inflation, and inadequate healthcare.

Citizens have taken to social media platforms to voice their discontent, questioning the government's rationale for investing public funds in a religious crusade. 

Some argue that the focus should be on addressing the pressing socio-economic challenges currently affecting the nation.

The controversy surrounding the use of taxpayer resources for the religious crusade has led to renewed discussions about the separation of church and state. 

Critics argue that such an allocation of resources blurs the line between government and religion, potentially compromising the secular nature of the Kenyan state.

As the debate rages on, Kenyan citizens continue to grapple with the realities of a struggling economy and the high cost of living. 

The decision to sponsor a religious event with public funds has raised questions about the government's priorities and the allocation of resources during these challenging times.

While the First Lady's intentions for the religious crusade remain unclear, it is certain that her decision will remain a topic of heated discussion among Kenyans, shedding light on the delicate balance between government responsibilities and religious endeavours.

Born Toufik Benedictus in Israel, Benny Hinn has since become a well-known televangelist with American and Canadian citizenship. 

He has achieved fame through his frequent "Miracle Crusades,"

These large-scale gatherings, often taking place in major city stadiums, serve as revival meetings and faith-healing summits. 

Following these events, Hinn's television program, "This Is Your Day," broadcasts the proceedings to a global audience.