President Ruto speaks amid growing public uproar over the proposed KSh1.2 billion State House church project, as critics label it a symbol of misplaced priorities.
A storm is brewing at the heart of Kenya’s political landscape, as President William Ruto faces sharp criticism over his controversial plan to construct a mega-church within the State House grounds, a project pegged at a staggering KSh1.2 billion.
Under the rallying cry “Wajinga waliisha!” (fools are no more), opposition leaders have united in fierce condemnation, calling the move a misuse of public land and a dangerous flirtation with state-sponsored religion.
President Ruto, a self-declared devout Christian, announced plans to build a chapel that would host up to 8,000 worshippers, a decision he insists is rooted in his personal faith and funded privately. However, the optics of a religious mega-project within the official presidential residence have triggered accusations of impunity and disregard for the Constitution.
“The State House is not a private estate,” charged Azimio la Umoja co-principal Martha Karua. “It belongs to the people of Kenya, and not a single square inch should be converted for personal religious use.”
Karua, alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other opposition voices, warned that such a move violates Article 8 of the Constitution, which explicitly separates religion from state affairs. The leaders argue that even if Ruto is using personal funds, the mere fact that the church will stand on public land makes it a state-sanctioned monument.
The controversy comes at a time when the country is grappling with economic hardship, unemployment, and public outcry over runaway corruption and ballooning national debt. For many Kenyans, the idea of spending over a billion shillings on a place of worship regardless of the source of funds feels out of touch.
“We are burying children who died from hunger, we are watching hospitals run out of medicine, and yet our President is building a billion-shilling church?” lamented one protestor in Nairobi. “Is this leadership or mockery?”
The backlash has sparked renewed calls for civil action. Activists and Gen Z-led movements have announced nationwide protests on Saba Saba Day (July 7), vowing to resist what they see as the erosion of democracy, accountability, and constitutional values.
While Ruto maintains that the church will serve as a sanctuary for prayer and thanksgiving, critics say it’s part of a broader campaign to weaponize religion and consolidate political loyalty among the clergy. The Atheists in Kenya Society and several secular advocacy groups have spoken out, warning that the project threatens Kenya’s religious neutrality and pluralism.
Muslim leaders have also joined the debate, demanding equal representation if the project goes forward. “If a Christian church can be built at State House, where is the mosque?” asked Sheikh Ibrahim Ali, a prominent cleric from Mombasa.
As pressure mounts, legal experts predict the matter could end up in court, with constitutional petitions already being drafted. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has hinted at possible legal challenges, especially if public funds or land are used.
Meanwhile, Kenyans online are not holding back, with hashtags like #ChurchOfCorruption and #RutoMustGo trending on social media platforms.
For now, President Ruto remains unmoved, brushing off criticism with the confidence of a man on a mission divinely inspired or not.
But as the protests near and the opposition sharpens its rhetoric, one thing is certain: this church may end up being far more than a house of worship it could be the altar where Kenya’s future political battles are fought.
Written by Kelvin Ng'ang'a
No comments:
Post a Comment