Nairobi — President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to erect a grand church within the hallowed grounds of State House has hit a legal wall after the Milimani Law Courts issued a conservatory order stopping the Ksh1.2 billion project.
Justice Chacha Mwita, in a ruling delivered Thursday, August 28, barred the government from proceeding with the construction pending the hearing of a petition filed by four prominent civil society organizations.
The petitioners — Transparency International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Inuka Kenya ni Sisi, and the Institute of Social Accountability — accuse the President of using public land and resources to advance a personal religious agenda, in violation of Kenya’s Constitution.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the government of Kenya, its officers, or anyone acting on its behalf from constructing a permanent church or building associated with any religious faith within the grounds of State House, Nairobi, or any other State House or State Lodge,” the order reads.
The case has been slated for directions on November 18, 2025, underscoring its urgency and sensitivity.
At the heart of the dispute lies Article 8 of the Constitution, which expressly prohibits the state from adopting or promoting any religion.
The petitioners argue that the construction of a Christian church within State House — the nerve center of executive authority — privileges one faith over others, threatening Kenya’s delicate balance of religious equality.
“The reported construction of a religious facility within the State House, a public property held in trust by the President, was carried out without any form of public participation or consultation. This omission violates the constitutional principle of participatory governance,” said lawyer Lempaa Suyuanka, representing the organizations.
The Ksh1.2 billion price tag attached to the project has fueled suspicions about transparency and prioritization of public resources at a time when Kenyans are grappling with economic hardship.
Critics question why such colossal funds would be funneled into a religious structure rather than addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, education, and unemployment.
“This is not merely about faith. It is about misuse of public resources, abuse of office, and a dangerous attempt to blur the line between church and state,” one petitioner argued in court filings.
The four organizations warned that if allowed to proceed, the church project could set a precedent for state-sponsored religious favoritism, marginalizing minority faiths and non-believers.
“By privileging Christianity through such state-linked infrastructure, the government risks entrenching religious favoritism, marginalizing other faiths or non-believers, and undermining the constitutional principle of religious neutrality,” the petition stated.
The case has ignited debate across the country, with constitutional lawyers, religious leaders, and political analysts weighing in on the potential long-term impact of a project that fuses faith and state power.
President Ruto, a staunch Christian and self-professed “man of faith,” has frequently hosted prayer meetings at State House and public rallies. While his allies frame the planned church as a reflection of Kenya’s spiritual values, critics warn that it could erode the secular foundation enshrined in the 2010 Constitution.
The lawsuit now places the President in uncharted territory — facing not just political opposition, but a constitutional battle that could redefine the boundaries of faith in state affairs.
As the November hearing approaches, the court’s decision may determine whether State House remains a strictly secular seat of power or becomes the site of a contentious religious landmark.
Leave a Reply