By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Humans of AfricaHumans of AfricaHumans of Africa
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Obituaries
Search
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Font ResizerAa
Humans of AfricaHumans of Africa
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Obituaries
Follow US
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
News

Kenyan leader to build huge church at presidential office

By Rhoda Odhiambo, Natasha Booty & Will Leonardo Published July 5, 2025
4 Min Read
Plans seen by a local newspaper suggest it could cost $9m and feature 8,000 seats
SHARE

Kenyan President William Ruto says he is building a church at the presidential residence in Nairobi that he will pay for himself – and says he has nothing to apologise for.

“I am not going to ask anyone for an apology for building a church. The devil might be angry and can do what he wants,” Ruto said on Friday.

That statement alone has angered Kenyans already frustrated with his style of leadership and what they regard as the entanglement of the state and the church.

The BBC has asked the government for comment.

It is not clear who Ruto was referring to as “the devil” in his comments at State House, but he says nothing will stop the project from going ahead.

“I did not start building this church when I entered the State House. I found a church but one made out of iron sheets. Does that look befitting for the State House?” a defiant Ruto told politicians at a meeting he hosted on Friday.

On Friday, one of Kenya’s leading newspapers, the Daily Nation, published architectural designs showing a large building with stained glass windows and capacity for 8,000 people.

The paper questioned whether the project was in keeping with Kenya’s secular constitution.

There has also been criticism of the cost, estimated at $9m (£6.5m), at a time when many Kenyans are struggling with the rising cost of living.

Ruto said he would pay for the church out of his own pocket, however that raises the question of whether he has the right to build such a large structure on state-owned property.

The Atheists Society of Kenya is threatening legal action to stop the church being built, calling it shocking and unacceptable.

“We view this action as anti-democratic and a promotion of Christian nationalism by President Ruto. We want to remind him that Kenya does not belong to Christians only,” said the group’s head, Harrison Mumia.

William Ruto is Kenya’s first evangelical Christian president, cultivating a pious image and earning him the nickname of “deputy Jesus”.

During his many years in public office he has been known to quote scripture and cry in public – behaviour that has long alienated some Kenyans.

Back when Ruto was the deputy president, he erected a church at his government residence in the suburb of Karen, using it to host religious leaders of various faiths.

While roughly 85% of Kenyans are Christian, there is also a large Muslim population of about 11%, along with other minority faiths including Hinduism and traditional African religions.

There is no mosque or temple at the presidency.

Meanwhile, Nairobi’s Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo says clarity is urgently needed about the type of structure being built, otherwise it might be seen to favour one Christian denomination over others.

“We have to be very cautious with this. Such a structure ought to have been built in an area that is not a public institution. Unless what is being built is a chaplaincy, but that is also not clear.”

TAGGED:AfricaChristianityKenyaWilliam Ruto

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Flipboard Whatsapp Whatsapp Reddit Telegram Email
Previous Article Namibia halts all state funerals amid criticism of the high cost
Next Article Footballer Thomas Partey charged with rape
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

Ricci Ossei - Humans of Africa
Ricci Osei: A cultural and artistic icon
Obituaries
Former refugee donates his entire maize harvest to Ukrainians
Features
Nigeria’s ‘Mr Flag Man’ waited a year to be buried
News
Trailblazing ballerina Michaela DePrince dies aged 29
News
James Earl Jones, Whose Powerful Acting Resonated Onstage and Onscreen, Dies at 93
News
The children bearing the brunt of the mpox outbreak
Features
Rwanda genocide: My return home after 30 years
Features
Sudan conflict: A front-row seat to my country falling apart
Features
Nigerian, Helen Williams sets record for longest wig
News
At 91, Don King still longs for the spotlight. But it is shining elsewhere
Features
Follow US
© 2024 | Humans of Africa
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account