Thursday, August 28, 2025 - The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily stopped President William Ruto’s plan to construct a permanent church within the State House grounds.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita, the court
issued conservatory orders halting the project pending the full hearing and
determination of the matter.
“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the Government,
its officers and or anyone acting on its behalf from constructing a permanent
church or building associated with any religious faith within the grounds of
State House, Nairobi or any other State House or State Lodges until November
18, 2025,” the ruling stated.
Justice Mwita said he was satisfied that the application
raised weighty constitutional questions on the relationship between the State
and religion, which warrant urgent scrutiny.
The petitioners, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission
(KHRC) and Katiba Institute, were directed to serve the respondents
immediately.
The respondents have seven days to reply, after which the
petitioners will file supplementary affidavits and submissions not exceeding 10
pages.
Respondents and interested parties will also have seven days
to file their submissions.
Justice Mwita warned that disobedience of the conservatory
orders would attract penal consequences.
The ruling comes eight weeks after President Ruto announced
plans to build a multimillion-shilling church at State House, saying he will fund
it personally.
He defended the project in July, describing it as an upgrade
of the temporary, dilapidated chapel currently in use by State House officials.
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