Controversy Erupts Over President Ruto’s KSh 1.2 Billion State House Church Project

President William Ruto has sparked a firestorm of criticism with the revelation of a KSh 1.2 billion church under construction within the grounds of State House, Nairobi. The ambitious project, designed to seat 8,000 worshippers, has raised serious questions about the separation of church and state, the use of public funds, and the president’s priorities amid Kenya’s pressing economic and social challenges.According to architectural plans obtained by the Daily Nation, the cathedral-like structure, designed by Skair Architects Limited, features twin rooftop crosses, tall clerestory-style windows, and four individual prayer rooms alongside a large family room.

**Ruto’s Sh1.2bn church project at State House**

The church, located near the presidential helipads, is already taking shape, as confirmed by recent satellite imagery. However, State House has remained tight-lipped, declining to respond to queries about the project’s funding, rationale, or compliance with Kenya’s Constitution, which explicitly prohibits the state from endorsing any religion under Article 8.

President Ruto, an evangelical Christian known for his public displays of faith, first hinted at the project during a January 11, 2025, service at the United Pentecostal Church of Kenya in Dagoretti North, where he mentioned a “special field” for religious leaders to “bless.” His history of blending faith with politics is well-documented, from building a chapel at his Karen residence as Deputy President to his frequent church visits during the 2022 election campaign, earning him nicknames like “Deputy Jesus” and “Nabii” (prophet). However, the scale of this project—estimated at KSh 1.2 billion—has drawn unprecedented scrutiny.

Critics, including Mumias East MP Peter Salasya and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, have accused Ruto of violating Kenya’s secular constitution and prioritizing vanity projects over urgent national needs. “Kenya is a secular republic. You are the president of Muslims, Hindus, atheists, and all Kenyans, not just Christians,” Salasya wrote in an open letter, highlighting the lack of medicine in hospitals and delayed school capitation funds. Comedian Timothy Kimani, popularly known as Njugush, echoed these sentiments, slamming the government for spending on a church while healthcare and education systems falter.

Constitutional lawyer Kibe Mungai argues that the project breaches Article 8 and undermines the presidency’s role in fostering national unity in a multi-faith nation. “The symbolism of a church at the heart of executive power is a direct affront to our secular principles,” Mungai stated. Political analysts view the construction as an extension of Ruto’s “political theology,” a calculated move to solidify his evangelical base, which was pivotal to his 2022 election victory.