'Tutajenga kanisa ya Mungu, shetani akasirike': Ruto defends Ksh.1.2B church at State House

President William Ruto has come out guns blazing to defend the construction of a new church at State House, Nairobi, that is alleged to have cost Ksh.1.2 billion, saying the house of God must reflect the dignity of the highest seat of power.

Speaking to Embu grassroots leaders at State House on Friday, the Head of State dismissed criticism surrounding the project, making it clear that not only did he find a church already standing at State House when he assumed office, but he is personally funding its upgrade.

“Mimi ni mtu naamini Mungu and I have no apologies to make for building a church at State House,” President Ruto told a cheering crowd. “Tutajenga kanisa ya Mungu, shetani akasirike, afanye chenye anataka.”

The president, never one to shy away from pulpit politics, remained unfazed as he allayed concerns surrounding government spending on the project, as he told off critics.

“I am told that in the newspapers today, someone said I’m building a church at State House. It is true mimi najenga kanisa hapa State House. Do you understand?” He stated.

The president then offered a bit of behind-the-scenes insight, suggesting the current structure he found was far from befitting of the presidency.

“Nilikuja nikapata kanisa ya mabati. Kanisa ya mabati inatoshana na State House ata kwa maoni yenu?” he posed, to murmurs of disapproval from the congregation. “Na sijengi na pesa ya serikali, najenga na pesa yangu, hapa tu… nitakuja kuwapeleka siku ingine tukaombe huko.”

“I did not start a church here at State House, it was there. The only problem, ilikua ya mabati, na sasa nimeamua nijenge kanisa itatoshana na State House.”

Ruto’s sentiments come amid a rising public debate sparked by media reports that the president is overseeing the construction of a lavish church on the State House grounds.

Critics had questioned the timing and funding of the project, citing ongoing economic challenges, including rising cost of living and a bloated public wage bill.