NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto’s administration is facing mounting public outrage following revelations that the government plans to construct an 8,000-seater church within the State House grounds — at a staggering cost of Sh1.2 billion.
According to a report by the Daily Nation published Friday, architectural designs of the planned structure show a full-fledged religious facility complete with grand stained-glass windows and prominent crosses.
Though it’s unclear whether public funds will finance the entire project, the mere scale and timing of the venture have ignited a fierce national debate over governance priorities.
Public Outcry Over Cost, Priorities
The backlash has been swift and unforgiving. Critics — including political leaders, lawyers, and everyday Kenyans — have questioned the wisdom of embarking on such an extravagant project at a time when the country is grappling with high youth unemployment, spiraling public debt, and underfunded critical sectors such as health and education.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya led the charge, accusing the president of flouting the spirit of the Constitution and turning religion into a political smokescreen.
“Mr. President, Kenya is a secular republic. Article 8 of our Constitution is clear: ‘There shall be no state religion,’” he wrote in a social media post. “You are the president of all Kenyans — Christians, Muslims, Hindus, atheists alike.”
Salasya further slammed the project as tone-deaf, adding, “This administration uses religion to dodge accountability. Kenyans are struggling, and this is where the government directs its energy?”
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru questioned the moral compass of the State House, saying the construction represents a gross misplacement of national priorities.
“Kenya is bleeding, but you chose to turn State House into an active construction site,” he wrote. “From endless renovations to now building a billion-shilling church. Is this what servant leadership looks like?”
Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna, now living in exile, labeled the plan as “primitive plunder” and called for an immediate halt, describing it as a misuse of public office and resources.
Online Reactions Reflect Growing Discontent
The controversy has also played out fiercely on social media, where users lambasted the project as extravagant, elitist, and disconnected from the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
“An 8,000-seater church at Sh1.2 billion? Meanwhile, hospitals have no medicine and schools lack desks. What’s the message here?” posted one user.
Another said: “We don’t need a church in State House. We need affordable housing, food security, and jobs. God doesn’t need stained glass.”
Religious vs Secular State Debate Reignited
The uproar has also reignited debates over the separation of church and state, with many reminding the president that Kenya’s Constitution clearly bars the establishment of a state religion.
While reports suggest that the church would serve as a venue for national prayer events, interfaith services, and diplomatic ceremonies, this justification has done little to quell criticism.
