Digital strategist and political commentator Dennis Itumbi has weighed in on the debate surrounding the spiritual leadership at State House.
In a statement on Saturday, 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.
“When the British colonialists constructed the State House, they also deliberately carved out a premium parcel of land right next to Gate A. That property is called Archbishopbourne. It wasn’t an accident,” he explained.
According to Itumbi, Archbishopbourne was constructed with a spiritual mandate in mind.
“The Archbishop of the Anglican Church was to serve as the spiritual adviser to the colonial Governor, and later, to the President of the Republic,” he added.
He further noted that the residence contains a 100-seater chapel explicitly designed for prayer and counsel to the Head of State.
“The physical infrastructure to support that role has always been there,” Itumbi emphasised.
However, he pointed out that historical hesitation within the Anglican leadership may have contributed to a missed opportunity.
“Since no Anglican has ever been elected President, successive Archbishops have often hesitated to shed denominational identity and fully embrace the role of National Chaplain,” he said.
Citing a failed attempt by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint a Catholic priest as State House Chaplain, Itumbi noted that bureaucratic delays undermined the effort despite direct orders from the Head of State.
Addressing Archbishop Sapit directly, Itumbi stated:
“So, Your Grace, my Archbishop, Most Reverend Ole Sapit, you don’t need to ask who should be State House Bishop. By tradition, geography and divine proximity—you already are.”
“By design of the state, you are the National Chaplain.”
Speaking to a local media house, Ole Sapit questioned the construction of the church, noting its legal implications.
"Will the president be the bishop or leader of this church, as we have seen him recently lead public prayers?" Sapit asked
The Archbishop also noted that there are already many churches in close proximity to the State House that are easily accessible to staff and residents.
"This is not a priority. The said church will undermine the security of State House as many will come in the name of worship with other intentions."
