Initial reports said the church would be built at the cost of
Sh1.2 billion, further fuelling complaints from members of the public.
At one point, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop
Jackson Ole Sapit raised concerns about the project, questioning both its
intent and its constitutional implications.
“Will the president be the bishop or leader of this church,
as we have seen him recently lead public prayers?” Sapit posed a rhetorical
jab aimed at the President.
Ruto explained that State House already had a chaplain who
had been serving before he assumed office and continued to lead services.
“We already have a chaplain. I heard one bishop asking, who
will be the head of the church? We have a chaplain there who I found already
serving, and he is the one leading services even now. I didn’t appoint him; I
found him there,” Ruto said.
This signified the weakening relations that have developed in
the recent past between the church and the Presidency over the state of the
country.
Critics have raised concerns about potential misuse of
public funds, lack of transparency, and the blurring of lines between
government and religion in a secular state.
President Ruto, however, defended the move, saying he does
not know where the figure came from.
Speaking at the ACK Diocese of Embu Diocesan 35th
Anniversary Thanksgiving at Kigari Teachers Training College, in Embu, Ruto insisted
that there is no way the church would cost more than an 11-storey building that
costs Sh350 million.
The President cautioned against spreading propaganda and
hatred against the church of God.
He added that he is not the one who built the church at State
House, but found it there.
According to Ruto, it is mostly used by over 300 State House
staff and their children.
“The church we are building is big enough for those children
and the three hundred families. We have a Sunday school there, and I didn’t
start the church, I found it there. What I have done is to say that instead of
the church there being made of iron sheets, let's build a stone one.”
Supporters argue it's a necessary facility for State House
staff and a reflection of the President's faith.
Ruto also affirmed that no state funds would be used to
build the church.
Religious messaging has played a significant and often
controversial role in Ruto’s political life and has publicly admitted that he
would become a preacher when he retires from the leadership of the country.
His strong evangelical Christian faith is a prominent aspect
of his public persona and political strategy, influencing various aspects of
his administration. It upscaled when he served as Deputy President and would
spend most of his weekends in various parts of the country leading church
fundraisers.
Ruto used this to mobilise political support across the
country as he frequently attends church services, makes donations to religious
institutions, and openly attributes his political success to God.
This resonates strongly with Kenya's largely Christian
population, particularly the evangelical community, which has seen growing
influence in East African politics.
First Lady, Rachel Ruto, has also been actively involved in faith
diplomacy and healing the nation crusades, further solidifying this religious
connection.
President Ruto has often declared his intention to lead
a "God-fearing government" and integrate religious values into
national affairs, including publicly dismissing attempts to regulate religious
organizations.
He emphasises the constitutional guarantee of freedom of
worship.
The construction of a new church inside State House, spearheaded by Ruto, carries significant implications
that extend far beyond simply providing a place of worship.
It has ignited a national debate about the separation of
church and state, transparency in public spending, and the role of religion in
governance.
Article 8 of the Kenyan Constitution explicitly states that
"there shall be no State religion," and the presence of a dedicated Christian
church within the seat of executive power could be perceived as establishing
Christianity as a de facto state religion, or at least favouring one faith over
others.
Already, critics argue that if a Christian church is built,
then equivalent facilities should be provided for other religions, such as
Islam, Hinduism, or African traditional religions, to ensure inclusivity.
Muslim faithful have already asked for a Mosque within State
House.
They said that since the State House serves all Kenyans
regardless of their religious beliefs, it is only fair that space be allocated
for Muslim faithful as well.
“Since the State House is a place that represents people of
all religions, just as a church has been established for Christians, we are
also requesting that a place of worship be set up for Muslims so that when we
visit such a place, we have somewhere to pray,” the leaders said.
For others, the move is seen by some as an attempt to integrate
religious values too heavily into national affairs, potentially alienating
citizens of other faiths or those with no religious affiliation.
Historically, while Kenyan presidents have often engaged
with religious leaders and hosted interfaith prayer services, they have
generally refrained from institutionalising worship structures exclusively for
one faith within State House.
