It serves staff, not Presidency’s religion - Ndii defends State House church

The Chairperson of President William Ruto’s council of economic advisers, David Ndii /FILE

The Chairperson of President William Ruto’s council of economic advisers, David Ndii, has defended the presence of a church within State House, stating that it is a long-standing facility intended for staff and their families, not a reflection of President William Ruto’s religion.

Responding to growing public debate over the church’s role, Ndii explained that more than 1,000 government employees and their families reside within the State House compound and make up the main congregation for the chapel.

He further asserted that the staff will remain predominantly Christian, regardless of who occupies the presidency

“The church serves the 1,000+ government staff and their families who live in State House. The religion of the president is irrelevant—the staff will remain predominantly Christian, whatever the religion of future presidents,” Ndii posted on Saturday via his X handle.

His remarks come moments after political strategist Dennis Itumbi weighed in on the debate surrounding the spiritual leadership at State House.

In a statement, Itumbi asserted that the Anglican Archbishop is, by tradition and historical design, the de facto State House Bishop.

He was responding to recent public remarks by Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who had questioned who should serve as the State House Bishop and, by extension, the spiritual adviser to the presidency.

“It’s surprising that the Anglican Archbishop would publicly pose the question of who should serve as the State House Bishop,” Itumbi said.

He cited colonial-era planning to argue that the role was always intended for the Anglican Church. 

President William Ruto stood firm in defence of the ongoing construction of a church at State House, saying the project is being financed from his own resources and that he owes no one an apology for it.

Speaking on Thursday while hosting leaders from Embu County, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, the President affirmed his personal commitment to faith and dismissed criticism surrounding the initiative.

"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.

He confirmed that the church is indeed being built within the State House compound and acknowledged that the development had attracted media attention.