Kenyan President Ruto Plans $9 Million Church at State House

Sun Oct 19 2025 18:04:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ruto argues he has no need to apologize for building a large church amid rising public discontent.

Kenyan President William Ruto has announced plans to construct a $9 million church at the presidential office in Nairobi, a decision met with mixed reactions from citizens and critics who express concerns over the separation of church and state.

Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared his intention to build a substantial church at the State House in Nairobi, stating that the project will be funded from his personal finances. With an estimated cost of $9 million and a capacity of 8,000, the planned church construction has already sparked controversy, particularly in light of Kenya's secular constitution and escalating economic challenges faced by many citizens.

Ruto, a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian often referred to as "deputy Jesus," asserted his confidence in proceeding with the construction, dismissing calls for an apology. "I am not going to ask anyone for an apology for building a church," he declared, alluding to critics who are dissatisfied with the blend of governmental authority and religious influence.

The architectural designs, released by the Daily Nation, show a modern structure that raises eyebrows about Ruto's commitment to national diversity, given that approximately 85% of the strong Christian majority in Kenya exists alongside a valuable Muslim community, which makes up around 11% of the population. Notably, there are no existing mosques or temples within the precincts of the presidency.

In response to the project, the Atheists Society of Kenya has threatened to pursue legal action, dubbing Ruto's ambition as an affront to democratic principles and a challenge to Kenya's pluralistic society. Their leader, Harrison Mumia, voiced the group's position that the church would impose Christian nationalism contrary to the diverse religious mosaic that characterizes the nation.

Further complicating matters, Nairobi's Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo emphasized the necessity for clarity concerning the newly planned structure. He suggested that such a building would be more suitable outside the realm of public institutions to avoid perceptions of preferential treatment towards any single Christian denomination.

As the discussions surrounding this ambitious project continue, it highlights the ongoing tensions regarding the role of religion in Kenyan governance and public life under President Ruto's leadership.