President William Ruto has confirmed plans to put up a futuristic church at State House, Nairobi.

He said he would not regret the move to build a vast church, adding that one already existed there before he moved in, only that it did not befit the status of the State House having been built with iron sheets.

"I have no apologies to make for building the church. And there is no one I will beg for forgiveness. I have seen in the newspapers that I am building a church at the State House. It is true. I came and got a mabati structure, does that beat the status of State House?" Ruto posed to political and religious leaders from Embu County who called on him at State House on Friday, July 4.

Ruto, whose electoral success in 2022 was heavily influenced by religious undertakings, also clarified that the funds to build the church would not be drawn from the taxpayers.

Ruto averred that he was putting it up using his own money, stating that "it wouldn't cost the taxpayer any coin. I will proceed because the church of God deserves dignity."

"We will build it, whether the devil likes it or not. And I am not building with the money from the government, but from my own pocket. I didn't start a church at State House, I found it, and I have therefore decided to build a church befitting the State House," he added.

The president's sentiments came after a report by one of the local newspapers on Friday, July 4, in which it was indicated that an ultramodern church costing KSh 1.2 billion was coming up at State House.

According to the publication, the church was designed to host at least 8,000 worshippers.

The newspaper obtained the plan of the church; it revealed that the chapel labelled 'Cathedral' had been designed by Skair Architects Limited.

Featuring tall windows, satellite imagery reveals that construction is progressing near the presidential chopper landing area.

A prominent cross crowns the structure’s main tower, perhaps to underscore its spiritual purpose and make it highly visible from a distance.

As per the design, two crosses are mounted, one at the front and another at the rear, with the front one standing out more clearly.

Inside, the expansive main hall includes four rows of pews designed to accommodate thousands of congregants.

This would not be the first instance in which Ruto invests in religion infrastructure.

During his tenure as Uhuru Kenyatta's deputy, Ruto had a church set up at his then residence in Karen.

The venue regularly hosted religious leaders as he strategised for his 2022 presidential bid.

Source: TUKO.co.ke