President William Ruto has decided to build a church inside State House, Nairobi, at a cost of Ksh1.2 billion. He says he is using his own money and does not owe anyone an apology.
According to him, there was only a mabati structure at State House when he came in, and he wants to build a proper place of worship.
The church is meant to hold up to 8,000 people and will have crosses and stained-glass windows. Ruto says the building will be used for national prayers, diplomatic events, and interfaith ceremonies.
However, many Kenyans are unhappy about this project. The country is facing serious economic problems, and people feel the money could be better used. There is high unemployment, many people are poor, and hospitals and schools are struggling.
Alleged architectural design of the Church Ruto is planning to construct at State House. Photo courtesy/ Daily Nation.
In such a situation, spending over a billion shillings on a church feels wrong to many people. They believe the President is not focusing on the real problems that affect ordinary citizens every day.
Ruto insists the money is from his own pocket and that the government is not paying for it. But people are still not convinced.
They are asking how a sitting president can afford such an expensive project with his personal money. There are doubts about whether public funds are somehow being used in a hidden way. These questions are raising concerns about transparency and honesty in leadership.
Another big issue is about religion and government. Kenya is a secular state, which means the government is supposed to stay neutral in matters of religion.
By building a Christian church inside the official residence of the President, many feel that Ruto is favoring one religion over others. This creates fear among non-Christians who wonder if they still belong equally in this country.
Leaders are expected to unite people, not divide them through personal religious preferences.
In Kenya’s history, no president has ever built such a structure at State House. That makes this decision even more controversial.
Some believe Ruto is doing it for personal satisfaction or to create a religious image for himself. Others worry that it’s a way to distract people from the country’s real challenges.
Either way, the project is now a national topic, with citizens openly asking whether this is the kind of leadership they want.
While the President may be within his rights to spend his money however he chooses, the choice to do so at such a sensitive location and time sends a strong message. The message many people are hearing is that their struggles are not the priority. Whether the church is completed or not, this decision has already created doubt about Ruto’s focus and his understanding of the real needs of the people he leads.
Front Page of Today’s Daily Nation newspaper.
It is a reminder that public trust is not just about legality, but about listening, showing empathy, and making decisions that reflect the pain and hopes of the nation.
