Controversy Erupts Over Kenyan President's Plan for $9 Million Church at State House

Wed Oct 15 2025 01:45:16 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President William Ruto faces backlash over plans for a privately funded church within the presidential residence, raising questions about governance, secularism, and religious inclusivity in Kenya.

President William Ruto's announcement of a $9 million church at the State House has sparked significant controversy among Kenyans and civil society groups, who criticize the intertwining of politics and religion. Amidst the backlash, Ruto defends the project, asserting it is his personal investment but faces legal threats and concerns over the implications for Kenya’s secular constitution.

Kenyan President William Ruto has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his announcement to construct a church at the presidential residence in Nairobi, projected to cost around $9 million and seat 8,000 worshippers. Addressing this decision on Friday, Ruto stated, “I am not going to ask anyone for an apology for building a church," suggesting he is unfazed by criticism from sections of the public, who are concerned about the conflation of state and religious activities.

Critics argue that the timing of this venture is especially concerning, given that many Kenyans are grappling with the escalating cost of living. The Daily Nation, a prominent local newspaper, reported on the architectural plans depicting a substantial building with stained glass windows. Many Kenyans have expressed dismay regarding the appropriateness of erecting such a structure on government property, particularly when Kenya prides itself on a secular constitution.

Spurred by this announcement, the Atheists Society of Kenya has declared they might take legal action to halt the church's construction, calling it “anti-democratic” and asserting that the president is endorsing a Christian nationalism that alienates non-Christian citizens. The society’s leader, Harrison Mumia, emphasized that Kenya belongs to individuals of various faiths, not just Christians, highlighting the country’s religious diversity—despite a Christian majority of approximately 85%.

Ruto, Kenya’s first evangelical Christian president, has drawn attention for his intense religious rhetoric over the years and previously established a church at his official residence as deputy president, using it as a space for interfaith dialogue. The discourse surrounding the newly planned church has further isolated Ruto from some segments of the population.

Nairobi's Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo has remarked on the immediacy of clarity regarding this church’s nature and its implications, noting that it may unintentionally favor one Christian denomination over others. He suggested that if the structure were intended as a place of worship, it should exist outside of a public institution.

As public sentiment continues to divide over this religious construction, questions about governance, state resources, and the essence of religious plurality in Kenya remain firmly in the spotlight, illustrating the delicate balance between personal faith and secular leadership in a diverse society.