President Dr William Samoei Ruto on Friday scoffed at a section of the media that highlighted ongoing construction of a multi-million church within the precincts of State House.
In an impassioned response the president said he owed no one an apology for building a church at State House.
“Mimi ni mtu naamini kwa Mungu, and I have no apologies to make. Kwa kujenga kanisa, I have no apology, na hakuna mtu nitaomba msamaha,” the president said spiritedly.
“Whether the devil gets mad or not, I’ll build a church. I’m told the newspapers are claiming that I’m constructing a church at State House, and it’s true. I met a mabati church here, does a mabati church match State House standards?”
The president went on to claim that he was personally funding the project and not using taxpayers money.
“I’m not using government money, I’m using my own money. I’ll take you soon we go worship there…” he explained.
Legal experts, however, have pointed out that the president has contravened the constitution which states that Kenya shall be a secular state. That tenet envisages that state and religion will be separate and there’ll be an accommodation and inclusivity of diverse faiths. Constructing a permanent structure within the grounds of State House for a specific faith therefore amounts to an offence.
President Ruto is the fifth occupant of State House after independence but the billions spent on renovation annually and now this ostentatious church construction project have raised alarm whether he has plans to leave in the event he’s not reelected.
Another major concern is what denominational affiliation the grand church will ascribe to. Already there’s a Catholic church and a multi denominational chapel at State House, raising fears that the president might be introducing a different type of faith, altogether.
In the run-up to the 2022 elections the president presented himself as a deeply religious person, often shading tears during church services. His critics however say such displays have not been accompanied by actions of faith.
The State House church project has now met with widespread condemnation from Kenyans with many calling out the president for the frivolous project and others blasting him for unconstitutionally introducing religious activities to the State.
Many Kenyans have also expressed outrage over the project’s cost, pointing to schools lacking basic infrastructure, hospitals without essential supplies, and delayed funding for education amongst other national ills.
One user on X @sholard_mancity, highlighted the dire conditions at Uwasi Primary School in Alego-Usonga Constituency of Siaya County, where students reportedly sit on stones in mud-walled classrooms:
“While children in Uwasi Primary sit on stones, under leaking iron sheets, in mud-walled classrooms with no labs, etc., Ruto is spending KES 1.2 billion of our taxes to build an 8000-seater church inside State House.”
Others accused the president of misusing funds and channeling billions to a project that lacks proper public accountability and even participation.
Some have also speculated that the project could be used to channel funds improperly, pointing to a lack of transparency in its planning and approval.
One X user noted that its location inside State House shields it from public oversight, fueling suspicions of financial mismanagement.
Journalist Ferdinand Omondi wrote, “At least 2 million Kenyans sleep hungry. Kids are dying in understaffed and poorly equipped hospitals.
Kenya’s debt blew past 10 Trillion. But Ruto found 1.2 billion to build a state house church. In a country with over 4,000 churches. Misplaced priorities. We deserve better.”
Another pointed that within a five kilometer radius of State House all major denominations are represented and therefore there’s no urgent need for another church construction.
It is true that the president found a mabati structure being used as a place of worship and that is not befitting of the status of State House but was this the opportune time to undertake such a gargantuan project?
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