President William Ruto has defended the construction of a church at State House, Nairobi, but insisted that he will fund it with his own money.
The President was reacting to a headline story by the Daily Nation, which included exclusive access to architectural designs and drawings showing the sanctuary as part of a costly renovation project currently underway at State House.
The 8,000-seater church is said to cost Sh1.2 billion, but President Ruto, in his admission of the church plan, did not mention the cost.
“I am a believer in God and I have no apologies to make. We are building a church. Let Satan be annoyed and do that which he wants to do,” President Ruto said while hosting Embu leaders at State House.
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The Head of State also said the decision to build the church was arrived at after he observed that most of the existing structures at State House were made of iron sheets, therefore, not befitting its status.
“I am told in the newspapers that there is someone saying I am building a church here in State House. It is true. I came here at State House and found a church made using iron sheets. Does that match State House in your view? I am not using public resources; I am using my own money. I have not founded a church here at State House, the problem is that it was made using iron sheets. And it will not cost the Kenyan government,” he added.
Some leaders, legal experts, and civil society groups have criticised the construction, arguing that the project violates the Constitution and fosters religious exclusion.
The Western view in daytime of the massive church whose construction is ongoing within the grounds of State House, Nairobi.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Veteran lawyer Paul Muite also weighed in, questioning the logic behind building a religious structure at the seat of executive power:
“Which denomination is this church? Catholics will not worship in a church they have not consecrated. Muslims will need a mosque. Hindus a temple. State House is for all Kenyans,” he posted on his X account.
The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) led by Eugene Wamalwa also condemned the project, accusing the President of misplaced priorities at a time when the country faces severe economic strain.
The party posted on social media site X that “while schools, hospitals and other necessary infrastructure wallow in disrepair,” the President was spending Sh1.2 billion on a church at State House.
On Friday, Muslim leaders at the Coast requested that the Head of State ensure inclusion by providing a separate place of worship for Muslims who work or visit State House.
“Our country respects every religion and we have seen that he is not out to fight Islam. We have seen him in different parts of the country working on building madrasa and mosques. We believe that State House has people from different religions," said Abu Katada, an imam at the Sakina Mosque. "Just like he is building a church for Christians to worship, we also demand that he builds a mosque so that whenever we are in State House we can worship.”
President William Ruto hosts Embu County grassroots leaders at State House, Nairobi on July 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The Atheists Society of Kenya on Friday announced plans to challenge the construction in court, calling it “anti-democratic” and a dangerous move toward Christian nationalism.
“It is both shocking and unacceptable that President William Ruto is covertly constructing a church on the premises of State House in Nairobi,” said Harrison Mumia, the society’s president. “This threatens the principle of the separation of church and state, and undermines Article 8 of the Kenyan Constitution.”
The building, designed by Skair Architects Limited, comes complete with twin crosses on its rooftop and tall, narrow clerestory-style windows flanking the central structure.
The design adopts a monumental neoclassical-modern hybrid design with massive double pillars at the main entrance and large arched windows.
The Western entry view in daytime of the massive church whose construction is ongoing within the grounds of State House, Nairobi.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
The tall central tower has been capped by a prominent cross, asserting the building’s religious significance and visibility from afar. The crosses are on both sides; the front and the back but the front one is prominent.
Inside the church, there is the main sanctuary seating with a capacity of 8,000 people with four rows. There are also multiple entrance points, storage rooms, toilets, and circulation corridors included for crowd control. There are two prayer rooms on each side of the main auditorium and multiple auxiliary rooms, including offices and washrooms.
The vertical structure design has two main vertical levels, including the main sanctuary floor and two upper sitting galleries. The gallery is made in a circular auditorium layout in the form of an amphitheatre to ensure visibility of the pulpit.
There are also four individual prayer rooms inside the church and one big family room. An exterior view of the church during the night features LED lights at the entrance and a big glass door entrance that allows one to see through. The structure is next to the helipad at State House.
