Christ is The Answer Ministry (CITAM) collected tithe and offerings amounting to Ksh1.57billion as of December 2021, an audited financial statement shows.
The statement published on the church's website shows that the new figures represent an increase from the previous Ksh1.45billion tithes and offerings collected in 2020.
The pentecostal church attributed the amount to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions that paved the way for the church's business units such as learning institutions, rental properties, hotels and media such as Hope FM.
Notably, the total amount stipulated represents part of the total revenue which amounts to Ksh2.5billion an increase from Ksh1.59billion collected in 2020.
"Total income for the year 2021 increased by 29 per cent to Ksh2.53 billion up from Ksh1.96 billion," the statement reads in parts.
"This was attributable to the gradual lifting of the pandemic restrictions that resulted in the re-opening of learning institutions, the revival of businesses, and relaxation of the ban on social gatherings," the statement added.
The Interest income for the church rose from Ksh10.5million in 2020 to Ksh26.5million in 2021.
Despite the sharp increase in the revenue accumulated, the church also recorded a significant rise after staff expenses rose to Ksh678million from Ksh608million in 2020, this was contributed by the reinstatement of allowances, promotions and benefits shelved in 2020.
Also, administrative expenses recorded a sharp increase to Ksh637million from Ksh450million in the previous year.
This, according to the orthodox church was attributed to the resumption of the church attendance restrictions lifted by the Ministry of Health during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The amount collected was from all its church branches located countrywide.
Branches that contributed the highest amount were CITAM valley road which is the main church (Ksh335.3million), CITAM Woodley (Ksh110.3 million), CITAM head office(Ksh157.9 million), and CITAM Thika road( 96.9million).
Apart from the branches in the country, the pentecostal church also has an extension of units in the United States (US) and Romania.
The church just like other religious bodies in the country is exempted from paying taxes.
"No tax provisions are made in these financial statements. The ministry is exempt from income for a period of 5 years from November 1, 2019," the statement added.
