Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has strongly condemned President William Ruto’s move to construct a church within the State House grounds.
Taking to his official X account on Friday, July 3, 2025, Mutunga argued that under Article 8 of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya has no state religion and that the State House is a secular site.
Mutunga, in addition, said that constructing a church there, one where the President’s faith could overshadow other religions, subverts the national values and principles enshrined in Article 10, which emphasises unity, equality, inclusivity, and non-discrimination.
“Under Article 8, Kenya has no state religion. The State House is a secular site in our country. Building a church in the State House in which the President’s Church/Faith trumps other religious denominations subverts the values and principles of Article 10,” Mutunga said.
State House church
Mutunga’s criticism comes after Ruto defended his decision to construct a church at State House.
The head of state, while speaking at State House on Friday, July 4, 2025, revealed that he will use his own money to build the church, stating that the building, estimated to cost Ksh1.2 billion, will not cost the government a penny.
“I have decided to build a church that fits the stature of the State House, and it will not cost the government of Kenya a penny. I will use my own money because the Church of God is a place worthy of respect,” Ruto confirmed.
“I am one person who believes in God, and I have no apologies to make for constructing a church. Do you understand me? I am not going to be sorry to anyone for building a church. We shall build the church of God.”
“Let the devil protest the decision and do that which he pleases. I am told that the papers are saying that I am building a church here at the State House. It is indeed true; I am building a church here at the State House.”
Ruto equally observed that the church structure he found at the house on the hill was made from an iron sheet and did not meet the standards at the State House.
