Police in Kenya drove tear gas to the driver tear gas, which protesters tried to occupy a church that was recently donated by President William Ruto.
A gift from the ministry of Jesus’ winners ($155,000; £120,000) in the suburb of Nairobi has been criticized from some young Kenyans who struggle with high cost of living.
Ruto defended his donation and offered a similar gift to another church in Eldoret.
Last year, Catholic and Anglican leaders in Kenya refused to donate, believing that it was necessary to protect the church from being used for political purposes.
During the conflict, several people were arrested, protesters tried to enter the church, fire, and block nearby roads with rocks.
However, the church’s services provide strict security for believers, local media reported.
Bishop Edward Mwai said unnamed mobilized “thugs” to undermine church services.
Evangelical Christian Ruto defended the donation, saying it was an attempt to resolve the country’s moral decline.
“Kenya must know God to shame us are those who tell us that we cannot interact with the church,” the National Heritage said in another church in Eldoret.
Kenyans have been angry at a series of taxes since Ruto was elected in 2022.
He said they need to pay off the huge debt he inherited from the last government, but many Kenyans think he should address public waste and corruption first.
Last year, a wave of nationwide protests forced Ruto to withdraw his financial bill, which included a series of tax increases.
Police stop protesters from reaching Jesus Award Winners ministry church [Getty Images]
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