Itumbi Vs Catholic priest
Dennis Itumbi recently found himself in a heated exchange with a Catholic priest who delivered a passionate sermon, taking the government to task for squandering resources on initiatives that don’t truly benefit the people.
In a clip that’s been making the rounds online, the preacher boldly accused the political elite of handing out Ksh200 while pocketing funds that should be going towards vital areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and clean water.
“Unapatia mtu 200. Ukipatia mtu 200 umekula lami, umekula maji, umekula masomo ya wanafunzi, umekula dawa za hospitali. (You give someone Ksh200 but consume what is meant for tarmac, water, education, and healthcare),” The father says to the congregation in the undated clip.
Itumbi pointed out that the much-talked-about National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) fund is actually a loan from the World Bank, which means Kenyans will eventually have to pay it back.
In response to the priest’s criticism, Itumbi accused him of being dishonest in his comments, where he suggested that the government spends lavishly to travel across the country offering assistance.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, February 9, 2026, Itumbi challenged the priest to check his facts before making accusations against the government.
“A Catholic priest at the pulpit should always speak the truth. Feel free to criticize the government, Father, but please make sure you have your facts straight,” Itumbi wrote.
Itumbi and the preacher are on the same page about the money being a loan from the World Bank, but it’s being presented to the youth as a grant in a specific way.
“Yes, it’s a facility from the World Bank. But for the young people in Kenya, it’s set up as a grant rather than a loan. That idea of a ‘fictional youth’ you mentioned is actually spot on: no young person will have to pay back a single cent.”
He mentioned that before receiving the funds, the beneficiaries went through some training. He emphasized that the businesses created with the grant will also contribute to repaying it.
“There was a training session before the funds were distributed, where they learned that the businesses they start will eventually generate tax revenue. Just so you know, those businesses will also play a role in repaying the loan,” Itumbi explained.
However, he didn’t address the preacher’s worry that the money was being handed out indiscriminately, affecting every Kenyan, even those who didn’t benefit from it.
President William Ruto has been traveling across the country, launching the NYOTA funds disbursement programs. Critics have pointed out that in this age of modern technology, with funds being sent via mobile money, the significant expenses incurred by the President and his team could be better spent on other urgent needs.
Ruto has praised the funds as a promise kept from his election campaign. However, critics are skeptical, pointing out that it might not lead to any real outcomes and questioning whether the Hustler fund, which Ruto touted at the beginning of his term, actually delivered any tangible benefits.
Itumbi Vs Catholic priest
