President William Ruto has defended his administration’s decision to construct a permanent stone church within the State House grounds, dismissing criticism over the cost of the project as politically motivated propaganda.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders of the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said the move is both spiritually justified and constitutionally grounded.
“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,” he 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.”
Ruto emphasized that State House is not just the official residence of the President, but also home and workplace to nearly 300 families, including security officers and staff — many of whom, he noted, need a decent place of worship.
He underscored that the Constitution affirms Kenya as a nation under God, adding that building a permanent house of worship within government grounds is in line with national values and spiritual responsibility.
“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,” Ruto said.
The President also sought to dispel claims that the project would cost taxpayers billions, calling such reports false and misleading.
“Hiyo mnasikia mabillioni sijui billioni ngapi ni lugha ya shetani ya kujaribu kuchochea na kuharibu,” he said, dismissing the figures as part of a campaign to incite and mislead the public.
