President William Ruto has linked his government’s Affordable Housing Programme to biblical teachings, arguing that the provision of shelter, healthcare and food reflects both Christian values and the rights guaranteed under Kenya’s Constitution.
Speaking during a meeting with the Friends Church at State House, Nairobi, Ruto cited Matthew 25:31-45, a Bible passage where Jesus teaches about caring for vulnerable members of society, including the hungry, the sick and those without shelter.
The President said the message in the scripture corresponds with Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, which outlines economic and social rights, including access to adequate housing, healthcare services and freedom from hunger.
This is after the head of state announced the construction of student hostels at Kaimosi Friends University at a cost of Ksh550 million while urging Kenyans to register on the Social Health Authority.
Ruto Uses Matthew 25 to Explain Affordable Housing and SHA
Ruto urged members of the church to read Matthew 25, saying the passage highlights the responsibility of society to respond to people’s basic needs.
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He explained that the biblical reference to feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and supporting those without shelter reflects the same concerns addressed by constitutional rights.
“And you know, everything I have said, I want you to go and read Matthew 25:31-45. The Bible talks about, ‘I was hungry’ I don’t know whether you had a plan for me to get food. ‘I was sick.’ I don’t know whether you had planned for me to get medication. ‘I had no place to live’ I don’t know whether you had planned for me to get affordable housing,” Ruto said.
The President argued that providing essential services should not only be viewed as a government responsibility but also as a moral obligation guided by values of compassion and dignity.
According to Matthew 25 verse 41 to 45, English Standard Version, the scripture talks about the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, delivered by Jesus concerning the final judgment
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger, and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me,” the scripture reads.
President Says Constitution and Bible Share Similar Principles
Ruto said there was a close relationship between the teachings in Matthew 25 and the rights contained in Kenya’s Constitution Article 43.
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Article 43 guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, accessible and adequate housing, reasonable standards of sanitation, freedom from hunger and access to adequate food of acceptable quality.
The President argued that these constitutional guarantees mirror the biblical call to care for people facing difficult circumstances.
“Therefore, there is no difference between the Bible and Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya. Matthew 25 talks about affordable housing, affordable health and education. Article 43 of the Constitution talks about housing, health and food. Let us fulfill the Constitution and the Word of God,” he said.
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