A post on X from October 12, 2024 featuring a digital card, supposedly shared by Tuko, claims that Father Charles Kinyua, has been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over accusations of criticizing President Ruto in a viral sermon on theft. More posts bearing similar claims were shared here, here, and here.
Background
Father Charles Kinyua is the founder of the Father CK Foundation, a charitable trust, and routinely posts content to his YouTube channel.
gained widespread attention in Kenya after a video from one of his sermons streamed on October 10, 2024, with President Ruto among the congregants, was circulated online. During the sermon, the priest calls for thieves to stop stealing, and asks them to focus on working hard and giving to those in need.
“If you are a thief, stop stealing! Instead, use your hands for honest work and give generously to those in need. This message is for all thieves, especially those among us in this mass and those following us on social media. Have you heard me, thieves? Are any of you here? Why are you looking at me suspiciously? I will read Ephesians 4:28 again for the thieves to hear” – Father Charles Kinyua
In the video posted on X, there are shots of President Ruto interspersed with the sermon. President Ruto shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
Father Kinyua continues his sermon by calling on his congregation and anyone watching online to heed the words of Ephesians 4:28.
“This verse is for the thieves especially those who are with us in this mass and the thieves who are following us online. Do we have thieves here? Ephesians 4:28, I want to read again.
The verse, taken from the book of Ephesians, states, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need”.
A number of posts alleged that the priest was addressing President Ruto in his sermon, and some had clips of Ruto edited into the sermon.
Verification
The video was manipulated to create the impression that the priest was addressing President Ruto. In the original footage posted on Father Kinyua’s official YouTube channel, the camera remains focused solely on Father Kinyua throughout the sermon, with no shots of the congregation. The clips featuring Ruto were taken from July 14, 2024, when he attended a service at A.I.P.C.A Ndogino in Nyandarua County.
"May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love". — Jude 1:2
Church service at A.I.P.C.A Ndogino, Nyandarua County. pic.twitter.com/T9kAQosOBo
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 14, 2024
The digital card was not posted on Tuko’s official social media platforms, either on X or Facebook. It is only mentioned when Tuko debunks it as fake, advising Kenyans to rely solely on information from official sources.
If the DCI summoned Father Charles Kinyua it would have made headlines on mainstream media. However, no credible report has surfaced.
The DCI, via their official handle on X, has dismissed the claims as fake.
Verdict
The claims that Father Charles Kinyua was summoned by the DCI over a sermon are FALSE.
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