President William Ruto fought back against reports claiming the State House church project will drain taxpayers of 1.2 billion shillings. The president spoke at a church celebration in Embu County where he challenged anyone to explain where such massive numbers came from. Ruto pointed out that an entire eleven-floor building costs only 350 million shillings to construct. He asked how a small church meant for 300 worshippers could possibly require billions of shillings. The president warned people to stop spreading lies and attacking places of worship.
Ruto explained that the church serves around 300 families who work at the presidential residence in Nairobi. He made clear that he never started building the church from scratch but discovered it already existed when he moved into State House. The president decided to replace the old iron sheet structure with a proper stone building for the staff and their children. He accused his critics of planning attacks against his administration and mocking his government. Ruto defended his decision by asking how he could travel around Kenya raising money for other churches when his own workplace chapel remained a temporary iron sheet structure.
Ruto explained that the church serves around 300 families who work at the presidential residence in Nairobi. He made clear that he never started building the church from scratch but discovered it already existed when he moved into State House. The president decided to replace the old iron sheet structure with a proper stone building for the staff and their children. He accused his critics of planning attacks against his administration and mocking his government. Ruto defended his decision by asking how he could travel around Kenya raising money for other churches when his own workplace chapel remained a temporary iron sheet structure.
