Lawsuit looms as Atheists vow to block Ruto State House church project

President William Ruto addresses Embu county grassroots leaders at State House, Nairobi, July 4, 2025. /PCS

The Atheists in Kenya Society has vowed to take legal action to block President William Ruto’s plan to construct a church at State House, Nairobi, citing a violation of constitutional provisions on the separation of church and state.

In a statement released Friday, the society president, Harrison Mumia, condemned the move as 'anti-democratic' and said the President is promoting Christian nationalism."

The group said it had directed its lawyers to begin legal proceedings to halt what it described as an “egregious misuse of taxpayer funds.”

“It is both shocking and unacceptable that President William Ruto is covertly constructing a church on the premises of State House in Nairobi,” the statement read.

“At its core, the construction of a church at the State House threatens the principle of the separation of church and state and undermines Article 8 of the Kenyan Constitution,” Mumia added.

Article 8 of the Constitution states plainly: “There shall be no State religion,” a clause meant to ensure the government remains religiously neutral.

The legal threat comes just hours after President Ruto confirmed reports that he is indeed working on putting up a large church within the State House compound.

Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Embu county on Friday, Ruto defended the project, saying it aligns with his faith and does not breach any constitutional provision since “it’s from my own pocket, not the exchequer”.

“I’m someone who believes in God, and I have no apologies to make for constructing a church. And there’s no one I’m going to apologise to for constructing a church of God,” he said.

“Satan can get mad all he wants and do whatever he wants.”

Media reports had indicated that detailed architectural designs had already been drawn and that the structure would seat 8,000 worshippers.

According to the reports, the church is expected to cost hundreds of millions of shillings.

Ruto dismissed claims that the project involves public funds, saying it was a personal initiative to improve an existing place of worship.

“I found an iron sheet church already built at the State House. In your opinion, is State House worthy an iron sheet church?” he asked.

However, the Atheists Society remained unconvinced, maintaining that any religious construction within the presidency—regardless of who funds it—sends a troubling message about state neutrality.

“The President must understand that Kenya does not belong to Christians only,” the society said.

The unfolding dispute sets the stage for a possible legal battle that could test the limits of religious expression by state officials and the interpretation of constitutional safeguards against state-sponsored religion.