President William Ruto has continued to defend his plan to construct a permanent church within the State House grounds, dismissing criticism over the project's cost as propaganda designed to mislead and incite the public.
Ruto said he was fully aware that State House is public property but argued that providing a proper place of worship within it is both constitutional and spiritually necessary.
“I have been to many churches, and no one has ever asked me to help build a mabati church. Everyone tells me they want a stone church,” Ruto said.
“So, how do I go around helping build stone churches across the country and leave the State House with a mabati church? Even you can’t pretend that makes sense.”
He noted that the State House is not only his residence but also a workplace for hundreds of public servants and security personnel, many of whom live within its compound.
“We have nearly 300 families here, security officers, staff and even a Sunday school. This is not my private residence alone. It is a community, and it deserves a proper place of worship,” he added.
Ruto appealed for understanding, saying the constitution acknowledges the place of God in our nation, and as such, investing in a befitting house of worship within government premises was not misplaced.
“Yes, State House belongs to the public, and I respect that. But our constitution affirms that we are a nation under God. There is no greater honour I can offer as President than building a proper house for the Lord here,” he stated.
Ruto made the remarks when he hosted the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) leaders at State House, Nairobi.
He also rubbished claims that billions were being spent on the project, calling such narratives deceptive.
"Hiyo mnasikia mabillioni sijui billioni ngapi ni lugha ya shetani ya kujaribu kuchochea na kuharibu," he stated.
(That talk you are hearing about billions is the language of the devil meant to incite and cause confusion. There is no such figure. It is pure propaganda).
Ruto's statement was directed at a section of opposition leaders led by Martha Karua who have taken issue with the move by the President.While commenting about it, Karua lashed out at Ruto, saying, "State House is not your land, not your money to do as you please. Completely out of order."
