Kenyan President William Ruto has confirmed plans to construct a permanent chapel at State House Nairobi, a move that has sparked divided opinion across the country.

Speaking in statehouse Nairobi, Ruto says he’s not building a new church but only renovating an existing church. He noted that when he assumed office, he found a temporary chapel already in place at the State House grounds.

 

“I believe in God, and I have no apologies to make for building a church, we will build the church of God,” he stated. “It is true I am building a church here in State House. I found a tin chapel here, that is not the standard of a state house.”

According to reports, the new chapel is projected to cost kSh1.2 billion and will accommodate up to 8,000 worshippers.

Ruto, however, assured that public funds would not be used for the construction.

‘’I’m not building it with public money; I’m building it with my own money,’’ Said Ruto

Despite this assurance, the decision has reignited criticism over the president’s prioritization, with some Kenyans questioning the logic of funding a massive religious structure amid ongoing challenges in the public health sector and the contentious university funding model, which has seen many needy students miss out on higher education opportunities.

This is however not the first time the head of state is embroiled in controversies surrounding what critics argue is a hypocritical opulence directed toward the church.