Renowned televangelist and media personality Bishop Muthee Kiengei has publicly advised President William Ruto to reconsider his controversial plan to build a modern church within the State House compound.

Kiengei’s strong reaction comes just hours after the president unapologetically confirmed that the construction of the church is already underway.

Taking to his social media platforms, the Bishop issued a heartfelt and passionate caution to Ruto, citing constitutional, spiritual, and national unity concerns.

“A disconnect is about to happen in this nation. A scheme is fashioned to tarnish the church, and if it succeeds, the church will look like a joke in Kenya," he warned.

The preacher pointed out that while Kenya is predominantly Christian, it is also home to many other faiths, and building a church inside State House could be interpreted as a show of bias.

“President William Samoei Ruto, don’t build a church in the State House. Our constitution entails freedom of worship. We have Muslims, Buddhists, Hinduism, and other religions in this nation. Why allow other faiths to fight Christianity?" he posed.

In his statement, Kiengei suggested that instead of erecting a religious monument exclusive to Christianity, the president should consider building a multi-faith auditorium.

“If you have to see us all worship, build an auditorium where we can all change functions. It will be cheaper. The rest of the money, direct it to our schools and medical facilitation,” he advised.

The pushback surrounding the project has been loud and fierce.

Many Kenyans have criticised the proposed church as tone-deaf and ill-timed, especially as the economy continues to strain under heavy taxation, rising living costs, and a broken health system.

According to media reports, the proposed church is set to seat up to 8,000 people.

Leaked architectural designs allegedly show a grand structure dubbed 'The Cathedral,' designed by Skair Architects Limited.

The church, whose cost is estimated at around KSh 1.2 billion, has been widely panned as a misplaced priority by critics.

While Ruto has maintained that the project will be privately funded and not drawn from taxpayer money, critics remain sceptical.

Here are some social media reactions to Kiengei's advice:

"Or rather he builds it alongside a mosque,,a temple and big club that will serve all kind of people that troop to state house for God knows what,,and they should be of the same amount, equity over equality."

"In most of Goverment instutions there is mousques, from learning intitutions like high schools, colleges and universities, kdf barracks, hospitals. i also thought that in state house there is mosque but hakuna. hii church ya 1.2b kweli ni ya gold. who are these 8000 people will be worshiping here? he can just build a small chuch of 1000 people. Let the rest of money be used for hospitals or learning institutions."

"Hope utaskizwa."

"Let him build church ...it has been there...just that he renovated it."

"President needs to know that, his faith is personal and respected, but Kenya belongs to all of us Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and others. The constitution gives freedom of worship to everyone."

"Very true our Bishop why build the church yet people are suffering from healthy issues parents Ur complaining about the school facilities and an expensive education sector."

In related news, former second lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi also took issue with Ruto’s church project.

She recalled a time when the president was deeply rooted in his faith and known for praying in tongues.

Dorcas urged him to reconsider the construction plans, especially in light of the growing injustices facing the nation.

Source: TUKO.co.ke