This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On September 6, 2019, Deputy President William Ruto made a surprising announcement: every Wednesday would be a fasting day for him and his staff in Harambee House Annex and Karen offices.
According to Ruto's press secretary, the directive was a personal-family Christian ritual, and staff were expected to respect it as a way to strengthen those who joined the fast.
As part of his efforts to secure votes for his 2022 presidential bid, Ruto has been donating large sums of cash to churches across the country.
While some have supported Ruto's move, others have expressed skepticism, including Professor Joseph Galgalo, the Vice-Chancellor of St Paul's University, who trains religious leaders.
