Kenya's President William Ruto sparked protests recently after donating some $150,000 to a Nairobi church just months after saying such handouts fueled corruption.
Ruto's pledge of 20 million shillings to the Jesus Winner Ministry Church led to protesters gathering there a week later, demanding the return of what they called "stolen tax money", only to be teargassed by police.
Church donations and fundraisers are a longstanding tradition in Kenya, and politicians often use pulpits to reach the masses in the predominantly Christian country.
It can become political theatre: last year, MP Oscar Sudi, a Ruto ally, drew cheers from the congregation when he delivered a sack containing three million shillings (around $20,000) to a church in Uasin Gishu county.
