By Spy Uganda Correspondent
President William Ruto’s confession of building a church at State House grounds has caused all manner of online commotion as Kenyans blast him for the exercise they’ve termed not only unconstitutional but also unnecessary.
It all started after the Nation newspaper revealed that Ruto was in the process of constructing a Ksh. 1.2 billion mega church at State House, a startling undertaking that is expected to have a seating capacity of 8,000 people.
After attracting criticism, the President admitted to the religious project, saying that he was not apologetic for building the Lord’s house while at the same time likening his detractors to Satan.
“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,” Ruto said.
“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.
The revelation has been 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, 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 Ksh.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.”
Popular X personality Soko Analyst also reacted, writing, “Ruto has broken so many laws by building that church building. Who authorised him? Was there public participation? Who approved the 1.2B KES budget. He has broken Article 8 of the Constitution and it adds to more concrete reasons why he should not be President.”
Someone else said, “Ruto slashed funds for school capitation, health etc in the name of “austerity.” But somehow, in this same broke country, he’s spending KSh 1.2 billion of our money to build a private church at State House. This isn’t leadership. It’s hypocrisy. It’s theft. It’s madness.”
Writer Sakwah Ongoma also reacted, saying, “William Ruto owns vast sizes of parcel of land across the country. He could have picked Sugoi, Kilgoris, Karen or anywhere to build his church, using his money. The State House is public land. You cannot establish permanent structures in state house.”
According to reports, the project is a 8,000-seat, cathedral-like building featuring a tall, narrow clerestory-style window flanking the central edifice and twin crosses on the rooftop.
It reportedly is designed to serve as a place of worship for the president, his family, and State House staff, while also accommodating large congregations for national prayer events.
Article 10 of Kenya’s Constitution enshrines national values and principles of governance, including the rule of law, while Article 8 explicitly states that there shall be no state religion — implying the government must not favor any faith.
Constitutional lawyer Kibe Mungai argued that constructing a religious facility at State House violates Article 8, which affirms the secular nature of the state.
He added that under Article 131(1)(e), the president is obligated to uphold the Constitution and serve as a symbol of national unity.
“Article 8 of the Constitution expressly prohibits the establishment of a state religion. Erecting a church within the official residence of the Head of State blurs the line between church and state, a clear violation of our constitutional order. President Ruto must be called out,” Fredrick Ooko wrote.
