Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has criticised President William Ruto over his decision to build a Ksh1.2 billion mega-church at State House, while millions of Kenyan children continue to learn in dire conditions across the country.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, July 5, Otieno expressed disbelief that such a huge sum of money could be spent on a church project, even as public schools across Kenya face severe infrastructure challenges.
“Look at the kind of schools our children attend—collapsing walls, mud floors, pit latrines, and no desks. Pupils learning under trees. Textbooks were shared four-to-one. And in the same country, a sitting president chooses to build a church worth 1.2B at the State House. A spiritual facade to launder political sins,” Otieno posted.
Otieno’s remarks came just a day after President Ruto publicly confirmed that the construction of the new State House church is indeed underway. The confirmation followed a newspaper report that revealed the project.
Ruto’s mega project
Speaking on Friday, July 4, Ruto defended the decision and made it clear that he would not bow to criticism regarding the project.
“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,” the president said.
Adding:
“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 also noted that the current structure serving as a chapel at State House was made from iron sheets and lacked the dignity expected of such an important national residence.
Many have criticised the head of state’s move and the timing, and the scale of the project. Those in support argue that the president is using his own money and has every right to worship as he chooses. Critics, on the other hand, argue that the billions could have been used to fix classrooms, buy desks, or improve sanitation in rural schools.
