President William Ruto now faces a fresh headache after a petition seeking to stop the construction of a church at State House, Nairobi, was filed at the High Court of Kenya.
This comes after the Head of State confirmed the construction but dismissed claims that it would cost Ksh1.2 billion, as reported by one of the local dailies.
Lawyer Levi Munyeri’s petition seeking to halt the construction was on Monday, July 7, 2025, certified as urgent by Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
In his ruling, Justice Mugambi directed that the application and petition be served physically within the next three days, with proof of service to be filed.
Petition to stop construction
He further ordered that responses to both the application and petition be filed within seven days from the date of service.
Should the petitioner find it necessary, a rejoinder may be filed within seven days thereafter.
The matter has been scheduled for further directions on July 24, 2025.
“I have read the Certificate of Urgency dated July 6, 2025; the undated Notice of Motion, the Petition of even date and the Supporting Affidavit of Levi Munyeri sworn on the 6/7/2025 and thus give directions….,” reads part of the ruling.
This comes after the Atheists in Kenya Society announced plans to sue President Ruto over the same construction.
Also Read: Ruto Sued Over Plans to Construct Ksh1.2 Billion Church at State House
In a statement issued on July 4, 2025, 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.”
The group views the move as anti-democratic and an attempt to promote Christian nationalism, warning that Kenya does not belong to Christians alone.
The warning came after President Ruto confirmed reports that he is indeed working on putting up a large church within the State House compound.
Ruto confirms construction of State House church
His confirmation followed a report by the Daily Nation on Friday, July 4, which revealed that the planned structure, estimated to cost about Ksh1.2 billion, will feature large stained-glass windows and prominent crosses, with the design indicating a full-scale religious facility.
Ruto, while speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Embu County later during the day, defended the construction, saying that he is building a permanent chapel at State House at no cost to the government.
“I have no apologies to make for building churches. I’m being told that in today’s papers, they are saying that I’m building a church inside the State House. That’s true, I’m building one here in the State House,” he said.
While maintaining that he is using his own money, the Head of State denied founding a church, arguing that he had found a temporary one in place.
“I did not start the church at State House; I found it already there. The only problem is that it was built using iron sheets. So, I have decided to build a church that matches the State House,” Ruto added.
“And it will not cost the Government of Kenya even a single penny. I will build it using my own money because the house of God should reflect dignity and honour.”
Clarification on the State House church costing Ksh1.2 billion
However, while speaking on Sunday at the ACK Diocese of Embu Diocesan 35th Anniversary Thanksgiving at Kigari Teachers Training College, in Embu, rubbished claims that the construction will cost Ksh1.2 billion, as reported.
Also Read: Ruto Breaks Silence on Building Ksh1.2 Billion State House Church
Ruto said he does not know where the figure came from and emphasized that it was impossible for the church to cost more than an 11-storey building estimated at Ksh350 million.
The President cautioned Kenyans against peddling propaganda and hatred towards the church of God.
“The bishop has shown me the building we are constructing; it has eleven floors. It has been estimated that it will cost Ksh350 million. Let me ask, if the church is big enough for three hundred people, can it cost a billion shillings? Please stop the gossip, propaganda and hatred. Why do you hate the church of God? I don’t know where these people got the billions,” Ruto said.
He further clarified that the church will serve around 300 staff families stationed at the State House.
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