DAP-K Party condemns Ruto’s State House church, citing constitutional backing
The Eugene Wamalwa-led Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) has condemned the construction of a Ksh1.2 billion church at State House, terming the project unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 5, the party raised concern that putting up a church within the State House, which sits on public land, amounts to promoting Christianity as a state religion. DAP-K noted that such a move violates Article 8 of the Constitution, which provides for the separation of religion and state and explicitly states that Kenya shall not have an official religion.
The party also dismissed President William Ruto’s recent remarks that the church is being built using his personal funds. According to DAP-K, public land cannot be developed using personal money, as State House is public property and not privately owned. Any construction on it, the party argues, must follow legal and constitutional procedures.
DAP-K further stated that the funds used in the project are public, citing increased budgetary allocations to the State House as the likely source.
“Article 8 of the Constitution clearly says there shall be no state religion. Further, the State House is hosted on public land, and no private individual can spend personal money on it. We are aware that the 1.2B church fund is part of the increased allocation to State House by Kaongo,” DAP-k said.
Ole Sappit’s reaction
Jackson Ole Sapit, the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop, has also publicly criticised President William Ruto’s decision to build a Ksh 1.2 billion church within State House, warning that it violates Kenya’s constitutional principle of secularism by blurring the line between religion and state power.
Speaking to a local media station while on sabbatical in the United States, Ole Sapit expressed support for the construction of places of worship but objected to the church’s location at the seat of executive authority, arguing that it sends a problematic message by prioritising Christianity as a state religion, which contradicts Article 8 of Kenya’s Constitution.
He questioned the necessity of the project, noting that existing churches near State House could serve the same purpose, and raised concerns about its governance—asking whether Ruto would assume a spiritual leadership role, such as acting as the “bishop” of the church.
