Ruto attends installation of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo in Machakos
By Faith Lagat, July 20, 2025President William Ruto on Sunday, July 20, 2025, joined congregants at the African Inland Church (AIC) Bomani in Machakos Town for the installation of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo.
The ceremony marked Kalanzo’s appointment as assistant bishop under Bishop Rev. Phillip Muia, who has led the AIC Machakos Diocese since 2021.
Held at the historic AIC Bomani, a landmark church in the region, the event drew hundreds of faithful, local leaders, and political figures. Among those present was the Machakos Governor, Wavinya Ndeti.
Kalanzo’s appointment is expected to strengthen the diocese’s pastoral and community work, supporting Bishop Muia in expanding the church’s outreach. The AIC in Machakos is deeply woven into the region’s history, with roots in faith-based education, charity initiatives, and missions dating back decades. Leaders like the late Bishop Wellington Mulwa, who championed the church’s expansion in the 1970s, remain key figures in its legacy.
Church-state debate lingers
President Ruto’s attendance at the AIC Bomani installation is consistent with his longstanding engagement with religious communities. Since his days as deputy president, he has regularly attended church events, hosted prayer meetings, and contributed to faith-based projects.
Recently, he hinted at the construction of a Ksh 1.2 billion chapel at State House, Nairobi—a move that has since stirred national debate.
While Ruto insists the chapel is funded from his resources and intended to serve the State House community and visiting dignitaries, critics have raised concerns over the project’s legality. Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party, has accused the president of personalising State House, claiming the chapel project violates the constitutional principle of separation between church and state.
The Atheists Society of Kenya and lawyer Levi Munyeri have also challenged the initiative, citing Article 8 of the Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of a state religion. A petition seeking to stop the construction is scheduled for court directions on July 24, 2025.
Despite the controversy, Ruto maintains that religion plays a unifying role in society. His presence at AIC Bomani reflects his continued commitment to partnering with religious institutions, even as the debate over church and state boundaries remains unresolved.