A proposed Sh1.2 billion church project at State House, spearheaded by President William Ruto, has ignited widespread debate across Kenya, with critics questioning the use of public funds amid pressing national challenges.
The project — intended to construct an 8,000-seat, cathedral-like building featuring a tall, narrow clerestory-style window flanking the central edifice and twin crosses on the rooftop — has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and activists alike.
According to reports, the church 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.
While the government has yet to release an official statement, President Ruto hinted at the plan earlier this year during a church service at the United Pentecostal Church of Kenya in Dagoretti North. He said:
“There is a special field that I am working on, specifically meant for people who pray, those who preach. I want you (the clergy) to come and bless that field once it is ready. I will invite you so that we can talk.”
It remains unclear how the Sh1.2 billion budget was allocated or whether any public consultations were conducted before the decision. The controversy comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with rising public debt, delayed disbursements to counties, and growing calls for austerity in government spending.
Supporters frame the initiative as a reflection of President Ruto’s deep personal faith and argue that it will foster national spiritual unity. However, the announcement has sparked significant backlash, particularly given the country’s economic constraints and underfunded public services.
Public reaction, especially on social media, has been overwhelmingly critical. Many Kenyans expressed outrage over the project’s cost, pointing to schools lacking basic infrastructure, hospitals without essential supplies, and delayed funding for education.
One user on X (formerly Twitter), @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 Sh1.2 billion of our taxes to build an 8000-seater church inside State House.”
Others accused the government of prioritizing personal projects over public welfare. Critics have also raised concerns about the separation of church and state, questioning the appropriateness of constructing a religious facility within State House using taxpayer money.
Some speculate that the project could be used to channel funds improperly, pointing to a lack of transparency in its planning and approval. One user noted that its location inside State House shields it from public oversight, fueling suspicions of financial mismanagement.
Notably, 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.
For now, the proposed church remains a symbol of the growing tension between personal faith and public responsibility in the nation’s highest office.
– By Jeremiah Richu
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