President William Ruto has broken his silence after facing intense public backlash following reports that his administration is planning to construct an 8,000-seater church within the State House compound.

A report by the Daily Nation on Friday, July 4, revealed that the planned structure, estimated to cost about Ksh1.2 billion, will feature large stained-glass windows and prominent crosses, with the design indicating a full-scale religious facility.

Ruto, while speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Embu County later during the day, defended the construction, saying that he is building a permanent chapel at State House at no cost to the government.

While maintaining that he is using his own money, the Head of State denied founding a church, arguing that he had found a temporary one in place.

“I have no apologies to make for building churches. I’m being told that in today’s papers, they are saying that I’m building a church inside State House. That’s true, I’m building one here in the State House. I did not start the church at State House; I found it already there. The only problem is that it was built using iron sheets. So, I have decided to build a church that matches the State House,” he said.

“And it will not cost the Government of Kenya even a single penny. I will build it using my own money because the house of God should reflect dignity and honour.”

During the meeting, Ruto maintained that his administration will work with all leaders to transform Kenya.

The President said that the government is particularly keen on ensuring that the health system works so as to lessen financial burden on everyone.

“With Embu County grassroots leaders at State House, Nairobi. We agreed to build three more markets in the County, bringing the total number to 12. We will also invest Ksh1 billion in the region to connect more than 12,000 households to electricity,” he said.

Read Also: Ruto Criticised Over Construction of Ksh1.2 Billion Church at State House

While it remained unclear whether the entire cost of the church construction will be footed by taxpayers, the revelation had sparked widespread criticism from Kenyans and political leaders who have since questioned the government’s priorities.

The development has ignited heated debate among Kenyans with many expressing concerns over the need for such a costly project amid a biting economic crisis, rising unemployment, and underfunded public services.