Kenyan President William Ruto is overseeing the construction of a church within the State House grounds in Nairobi, a project reported to cost approximately 1.2 billion Kenyan shillings. Ruto has publicly confirmed the project, stating that the church is a renovation and upgrade of an existing tin structure that has served State House staff and their families for decades. He insists that the construction is funded entirely from his personal finances, denying the use of public funds and rejecting calls for apologies over the project. The church is planned to accommodate around 8,000 people and is intended to reflect the dignity of the presidential residence. The project has sparked widespread criticism and debate across Kenya, with opposition leaders, constitutional lawyers, and some religious figures questioning the legality and appropriateness of building a church on government property, citing concerns about the constitutional separation of church and state. Muslim leaders have also urged President Ruto to consider constructing a mosque within State House to reflect religious inclusivity. Some members of parliament and religious leaders have defended the project, emphasizing the right of State House residents to a place of worship. The controversy has led to legal action, with a lawyer filing a lawsuit seeking to block the church's construction. Despite the backlash, President Ruto remains resolute in continuing the project, framing it as a personal initiative fulfilling a campaign promise made in 2022. The debate highlights broader tensions around governance, religion, and public resources in Kenya.