President William Ruto has strongly defended the construction of a church within State House, dismissing growing public criticism as propaganda and religious intolerance.
Speaking during the 35th Diocesan Anniversary celebrations at St. Mark’s College, Kigari in Embu County, the Head of State pushed back at claims that the planned chapel is extravagant or unnecessary.
Ruto said the church is meant to serve the spiritual needs of the nearly 300 families who live and work within the State House compound — including children attending Sunday school.
“Watu wa Embu, mmenialika hapa tujenge kanisa ya mabati? Alafu mniulize kama kanisa ya State House ibaki ya mabati?” he posed, questioning why a place of worship for State House residents should be built with substandard materials while he resides in a decent home.“You want me to stay in a good place but the temple of God be built of mabati? If I meet God, what will I answer Him? Will I pass that test before God?” he added.
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Ruto also questioned the cost-related concerns being raised, comparing the chapel’s budget to other church projects: “If an 11-storey church is costing Sh300 million, how can a church of 300 families cost billions? Stop this propaganda and hate. Why are you hating the Lord’s church?”The president’s comments come amid public debate over the place of religion in government spaces and questions over the allocation of state resources for religious infrastructure.
In the same visit, Ruto announced new development plans for Embu County, revealing that the government has allocated Sh570 million to connect homes to electricity. An additional Sh400 million will be spent to connect 5,000 more households.
