President William Ruto is at the center of a political storm after reports surfaced that his government is planning to construct a Ksh1.2 billion church within the State House grounds.
The project, expected to seat 8,000 people and adorned with stained-glass windows and crosses, has sparked fury among Kenyans grappling with harsh economic conditions.
Many see it as a tone-deaf move by a government that has failed to address the cost-of-living crisis, rising taxes, and public debt. Critics now say this Ksh1.2 billion church at State House is a symbol of failed leadership.
Critics Say Church Project Shows Misplaced Priorities
The backlash erupted after Daily Nation published an article revealing details about the proposed church, including its estimated Sh1.2 billion cost. Although it remains unclear whether taxpayers will foot the entire bill, the public response has been swift and unforgiving.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya led the charge with a scathing open letter directed at the president.
“Kenya is a secular republic,” he wrote. “Article 8 of our Constitution is clear—there shall be no state religion. You are not just the president of Christians but of all Kenyans, including Muslims, Hindus, traditionalists, and atheists.”
Salasya accused Ruto of hiding behind religion to mask poor governance and a lack of transparency. He argued that in a country facing severe hunger, joblessness, and failing healthcare, building a luxury church inside State House is not just insensitive—it’s an abuse of office.
Other public figures echoed similar sentiments. Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru described the construction as “a monument to hypocrisy.”
“Kenya bleeds,” Njiru wrote. “But you’ve turned the State House into a construction site—renovations, and now a billion-shilling church. Meanwhile, the poor are digging graves with bare hands.”
Even Kenya-born Canadian lawyer Miguna Miguna, never one to shy away from controversy, called the plan “primitive plunder, misuse of office, and outright barbarism.” He demanded immediate legal and political action to stop the project.
Despite the uproar, State House has remained silent. There’s been no confirmation, no denial—only growing anger from citizens and civil society.
Church Project Seen as a Cover for Political Optics
Supporters of the project argue that the church will serve a national purpose. Reports suggest it will host national prayer services, interfaith ceremonies, and diplomatic events.
But many Kenyans aren’t buying it. They believe the Ksh1.2 billion church at State House is just another attempt by Ruto to appeal to religious voters, deflect from corruption scandals, and disguise the failings of his administration.
“This is not about faith,” one Nairobi resident told a local radio station. “It’s about power, and using religion to make people think the government is moral, while families go hungry and roads remain impassable.”
Analysts say Ruto’s image as a devout Christian is beginning to wear thin. His frequent church visits, public prayers, and Scripture quoting are now seen as tools of political manipulation rather than genuine devotion.
And with ongoing tax protests, record fuel prices, and ballooning public debt, citizens are demanding action—not more preaching.
Legal and Political Risks for Ruto
The proposed church has also opened up legal questions. By building a Christian facility inside State House, critics argue that Ruto could be violating Article 8 of the Constitution, which separates religion from the state.
Legal experts warn that if taxpayer money is used, it would amount to religious favoritism funded by the public.
“There is no way this can be justified,” said a lawyer from the Law Society of Kenya. “Using public resources to build a place of worship—especially one aligned with the president’s faith—is unconstitutional.”
The controversy could also damage Ruto’s international image. As global donors and development partners watch how the Kenyan government prioritizes its budget, a billion-shilling church might send the wrong message.
With opposition leaders sharpening their knives and even some Kenya Kwanza allies growing uneasy, the president faces a political risk that may not be easy to contain.
So far, there has been no parliamentary discussion on the church plan, no public consultation, and no budget disclosure. In a nation that just passed a punitive Finance Bill, the optics could not be worse.
For many Kenyans, the Ksh1.2 billion church at State House is not a place of worship—it’s a shrine to misplaced values. And unless the president changes course, it could become a symbol of everything wrong with his administration.
