President William Ruto has stood firm in defence of the ongoing construction
of a church at State House, saying the project is being financed from his own
resources and that he owes no one an apology for it.
Speaking on Thursday while hosting leaders from
Embu County, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, the President affirmed his personal
commitment to faith and dismissed criticism surrounding the initiative.
"Mimi ni mtu naamini kwa Mungu, and I have
no apologies to make. Kwa kujenga kanisa, I have no apology, na hakuna mtu
nitaomba msamaha," Ruto said.
He confirmed that the church is indeed being
built within the State House compound and acknowledged that the development had
attracted media attention.
"Naambiwa ati mpaka kwa gazeti leo kuna mtu
anasema ninajenga kanisa hapa," he said, brushing off concerns raised in
the press.
The President’s remarks come amid growing
public debate over the intersection of religion and state, particularly
following his frequent religious messaging and appearances at church events
since taking office.
However, Ruto maintained that building a place
of worship within the official presidential residence is both a personal choice
and an expression of his beliefs.
The church construction at State House continues as part of what insiders describe as the President’s long-held desire to have a dedicated place of worship on the grounds.
"Nimeamua nijenge kanisa inatoshana na State House na haitagarimu, serikali ya Kenya peni moja. Nitajenga kwa sababu kanisa ya Mungu ni pahali inatoshana heshima."
The president's remark came after a report in a section of the media alleged that he is constructing a chapel worth Sh1.2 billion at State House.
The move, as per the publication, raises questions on the constitutional separation of church and state.
