President William Ruto has publicly admitted that he is building a new permanent church within the State House compound, insisting that he will not apologize to anyone for the decision.
While addressing grassroots leaders from Embu County at State House on Friday, the Head of State clarified that he found a makeshift iron-sheet church upon assuming office, which he deemed unbefitting of the country’s most powerful residence.
“I came and found an iron-sheet church, which is not suitable for State House,” said President Ruto. “I have no apologies to make. I will build God’s church. I will not apologize to anyone. Let the devil do what it wants.”
The President was responding to growing criticism and speculation, sparked by a Daily Nation exposé which reported that the new church will seat up to 8,000 people and may cost an estimated KSh 1.2 billion. The publication also described a grand design adorned with tall stained-glass windows and prominent crosses.
Ruto dismissed suggestions that public funds are being used for the project, emphasizing that the construction is being financed from his own pocket.
“I’m told even the newspapers today wrote that I’m building a church in State House, yes, I am putting up one,” he said. “But I am not building it with government money. It is my own money. A house of God must be beautiful.”
The report triggered a wave of online debate, with many Kenyans demanding transparency and questioning the church’s funding. Some critics argued the move was inappropriate given the country’s economic challenges, while others likened Ruto to the biblical King Solomon, who built a temple for God.
Despite the controversy, Ruto remained firm in his stance: “To build a house for God, I don’t need permission from anyone.”
