U.S.-Based Kenyan Pastor Resigns Over Church’s Decision to Host President Ruto at Anniversary Celebrations

A Kenyan pastor based in the United States has publicly resigned from his leadership position at the Jesus Compassion Ministry (JCM) U.S. branch, citing deep moral and spiritual objections to the church’s decision to invite President William Ruto as a guest of honour at its anniversary event in Kenya.

Pastor Charles Wachira announced his resignation on the morning of Sunday, February 22, in a formal statement shared on social media, framing his departure as a matter of conscience rather than conflict.

The Resignation: “Conviction, Not Rebellion”

In his statement, Wachira was careful to draw a distinction between principled dissent and defiance. He described his decision to step down as driven by conviction and confirmed that he would share further details about his resignation in due course.

“Pastor Charles Wachira believes spiritual leadership must stand firmly on truth, righteousness, and the defense of innocent life,” the statement read. “When leadership actions create confusion, division, or moral discomfort among believers, it becomes necessary to take a principled stand.”

The pastor cited what he described as serious concerns over leadership principles and recent public engagements that he said have deeply unsettled many believers — particularly younger members of the congregation aligned with Kenya’s Gen Z movement. He argued that the church must not be seen as indifferent to the suffering of ordinary Kenyans, and that spiritual leaders carry a responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Wachira also drew on biblical teachings to anchor his position, referencing scriptural warnings against calling evil good and invoking the obligation to pursue justice for the oppressed. His statement pointed to what he called growing calls for accountability and moral clarity among young believers during what he described as a sensitive period in Kenya’s national life.

The Trigger: President Ruto’s Invitation to JCM’s Third Anniversary

The immediate cause of Wachira’s resignation was the Jesus Compassion Ministry’s decision to invite President William Ruto to attend its third anniversary celebrations, held at the church’s headquarters in Ruiru, Kiambu County.

The invitation proved contentious long before the event took place. A promotional poster announcing President Ruto’s expected attendance at the Sunday service circulated on social media and was met with swift backlash, with some church members publicly threatening to boycott the service in protest.

Despite the controversy, President Ruto proceeded to attend the service in Ruiru on Sunday alongside other invited leaders, as the church pressed ahead with its anniversary programme.

About Jesus Compassion Ministry

The Jesus Compassion Ministry is a fast-growing Kenyan church led by Bishop Ben Kiengei. Founded with its headquarters in Ruiru, Kiambu County, the ministry has expanded significantly in recent years and now operates 64 branches across Kenya and internationally. Its global footprint includes branches in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the United States — the latter of which was under the pastoral leadership of Charles Wachira until his resignation.

The church’s third anniversary marks a significant milestone in that expansion, making the controversy surrounding the event all the more consequential for its leadership and congregation.

Broader Context: Faith, Politics, and a Restless Generation

Wachira’s resignation arrives at a moment of heightened tension between Kenya’s religious institutions and its political leadership. Over the past year, the country’s Gen Z movement — which rose to national and international prominence during the anti-finance bill protests of 2024 — has increasingly scrutinised the relationship between the church and the state, with many young believers calling on religious leaders to take clearer moral stances on issues of governance and accountability.

For many of those young Kenyans, the sight of President Ruto receiving a platform at a church pulpit is a provocation rather than a celebration — a symbol of an establishment that they feel has been too willing to accommodate power at the expense of prophetic integrity.

Wachira’s statement speaks directly to that frustration. By resigning so publicly and grounding his departure in the language of righteousness and the defence of innocent life, the pastor has positioned himself not merely as a dissenting church official, but as a voice aligned with those demanding that Kenya’s faith community be held to a higher standard.

What Happens Next

Pastor Wachira has indicated he will provide more information about his resignation and its implications in the coming days. It is not yet known whether other leaders within the JCM’s international network share his concerns or whether his departure will prompt a broader internal conversation within the ministry.

Bishop Ben Kiengei and the JCM leadership had not issued a public response to the resignation at the time of publication.

What is clear is that the controversy surrounding President Ruto’s appearance at the Jesus Compassion Ministry has extended well beyond the walls of a church in Ruiru. It has become the latest flashpoint in an ongoing national debate about the role of the church in Kenyan public life — and whether spiritual leadership and political proximity can, or should, coexist.

All information reported in this article is based on publicly available statements and social media posts at the time of publication. The Jesus Compassion Ministry and Bishop Ben Kiengei had not issued an official response at the time of writing.

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