President William Ruto has dismissed criticism over the construction of a church at Nairobi State House.
According to Ruto, the church will not cost taxpayers Ksh.1.2 billion as reported by a local publication. He terms this as “sheer propaganda meant to mislead the public.”
However, the Head of State has remained adamant about the church construction, despite uproar from Kenyan citizens.
Speaking on Sunday at Kigari Teachers Training College grounds in Embu County during a service hosted by the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Embu Diocese, President Ruto defended his decision to build a new chapel within the State House compound, saying it was a modest plan meant to serve the spiritual needs of State House staff and their families.
“I found a chaplain already at State House when I got there. There was already a church built nearly 100 years ago — a simple iron-sheet structure,” the President told the congregation. “Now that I am renovating the rest of State House, why should I leave the house of God in such a state?”
“Let me be clear — I will build that church with my own money. It will cost very little. People should stop exaggerating figures to distract us. That propaganda will not scare me,” the President stated.
Ruto appeared to take a direct aim at Anglican Church Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, who recently questioned whether the President was trying to become a bishop by building a church at the seat of power.
“I heard someone asking if I want to be a bishop now,” Ruto scoffed. “No. I am a believer. I will build the church for the over 300 workers and families at State House because they deserve a decent place to worship — not for show, not for politics.”
In Embu, President Ruto donated KSh 20 million toward the ACK Embu Diocese’s ambitious plan to construct an 11-storey commercial complex estimated to cost KSh 387 million.
“I urge all Embu residents, businesspeople, and the faithful to come together and support this noble cause. This complex will be a long-term investment for the church,” he said.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire lauded the President’s support and expressed confidence in the people of Embu.
“If the President were to make a call today for Embu residents to contribute to this project, I am sure we would come out in large numbers,” said Mbarire.
The service brought together clergy, political leaders, and hundreds of faithful, offering President Ruto yet another opportunity to rally his base around faith and development amid increasing criticism from religious and political quarters.
